ANNALS
OF THE
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
—_ —————
Vol. XII.
PART Il.
e,
c
DENTI
ANNALS
OF THE
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
Vol. XII.
PART Il.
ASIATIC PALMS —LEPIDOCARYE/E
By
Dr. ODOARDO BECCARI.
PART Ill.
THE SPECIES OF THE GENERA.
CERATOLOBUS, CALOSPATHA, PLECTOMIA, PLECTOMIOPSIS, MYRIALEPIS, ZALACCA,
PIGAFETTA, KORTHALSIA METROXYLON, EUGEISSONA.
With 120 plates and 6 plates of analytical figures.
—À + -
CALCUTTA:
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DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
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y :
TO THE MEMORY OF.
ASIATIC PALMS-—LEPIDOCARYE/E
By
DR. ODOARDO BECCARI.
PART Ill.
THE SPECIES OF THE GENERA.
CERATOLOBUS, CALOSPATHA, PLECTOMIA, PLECTOMIOPSIS, MYRIALEPIS, ZALACCA,
PIGAFETTA, KORTHALSIA, METROXYLON, EUGEISSONA.
With 120 plates and 6 plates of analytical figures.
CALCUTTA :
A
THE BENGAL SECRETARIAT BOOK DEPOT.
1918.
CONTENTS.
| ~ QERATOLOBUS, descriptions of species of . .
Bo occur ^ PLERCTOMER 2 $0. : f
i * PLECTOMIOPSIS, — „ —— :
t ALA 035. dA.
il D QC PIGAFWETIA, o o i
tisi ROMA V o È
MAT A^
“x METROXYLON,
1? ” 23 $9 MW Y
Wc UT. KUGEISSONA, i pa diris
| — — -.. Conspectus of the genera of Lepidocaryee . .
~ 55.02. ^Lepidoearyes extra-Asiation. =...
RAPHIA, species of .
CERATOLOBUS si
Bl. in Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. vii, 1334 and Rumphia, ti, 165, t. 137 f£. A;
Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm ili, 196, t. 115, 1; Mig. Fl. Ind. Bat. ii. 73; Hook. f. FI.
Brit. Ind. vi, 187 ; Ridley, Mat. Fl, Mal. Penins. i, 477. '
Slender, climbing, more or less spinose or aculeate, polycarpie, dioecious palms,
bearing lateral inflorescences. Leaves alternate, pinnate, terminating in a leaflet
in the young plants and in a clawed cirrus in the adult ones. Leaflets commonly
cuneately rhomboidal or cuneately oblong, their upper margin lobulate premorse,
radiately veined (Huceratolobus), more rarely unicostate and linear or narrowly
lanceolate and- acuminate ( Cryptocladus), never ansate, directly attached to the rhachis
by an acute base. Stem with internodes: covered at first with sheaths, forming the
basal portion of the leaves. Leaf-sheaths complete and cylindrical, gibbous above,
more or less spinose, not furnished with a flagellum and not ocreate, having at the
mouth only a membranous and at length deciduous rim, and a small axillary -
ligula. Spadices dioecious (male and polygamous) attached to the sheaths laterally
exactly similar externally in both! sexes. composed of a panicle enveloped by oné
complete spathe only. Spathes persistent, dry, papyraceous or thinly coriaceous,
narrowly elliptical or fusiform, unarmed, beaked, strongly flattened, two-edged or
almost two-winged, entirely closed all round, except at apex during the anthesis
at times at length splitting alongside. Panzeles of both sexes similar, contracted
and always completely shut into their respective spathes, also during the
anthesis, and not lengthening out afterwards, branched; the main axis ‘and
branches provided with short, tubular, tightly sheathing or infundibuliform
spathes becoming bracteiform in the ultimate branchlets. Male panicle twice
or 3 times branched. Male flowers solitary, suffulted by a spathel shortly
infundibuliform, and provided with an involucre shallowly cupular; the calyx
small, 3-toothed; the corolla split nearly to the base into 3 oblong segments
caltose at the base; stamens 6, with filaments adnate to the base of the
corolla and. having a linear free part shortly inflected at apex; anthers linear-
sagittate, dorsifixed ; pistillode very minute. Female (or polygamous) spadix less
branched than the male; the branchlets bear the flowers in pairs at each flexure,
every female flower being accompanied by a male (or neuter) and suffulted by an
involuerophorum and an involucre, at times bracteiform; the insertion of the
neuter flower is marked by a small punctiform areola. Female flowers ovoid, or
ovoid-trigonous pyramidate ; the calyx cyathiform or campanulate, 3-toothed or 3-lobed ;
the corolla is parted below the middle into 3 triangular segments and is vent-
ricose in its lower part; the staminal filaments are connate with the undivided part
of the corolla and carry well-formed sterile anthers; ovary globose or ovoid, covered
with large fimbriate scales; style none; stigmas elongate-trigonous, thickish, recurved.
Companion male (or neuter?) flowers very much the same as the fertile male ones.
Fruit globose or ovoid, beaked, one celled, one seeded,. clothed with appressed scales.
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD, CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
2 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
Seed erect, globose or oblong, enveloped with a scanty fleshy integument ; the nucleus
has a pitted surface and is foveolate on the«side of the chalaza; albumen ruminate ;
embryo basal.
The genus Ceratolobus is mainly characterized by the very peculiar structure
of the spadices which have the panicle (d and 9?) ‘enclosed in only one spathe
never opening completely. Apparently fertilisation happens inside the spathe,
through a slit along the margins of the beak, by the agency of some insects, as
the female flowers never remain exposed or even visible outside, not only during
the anthesis, but also after they have been fertilized, owing to the main axis not
lengthening out; the fruits also. remain enclosed in the spathes to the complete des-
truction of these latter. In other respects the genus Ceratolobus is closely related
to Daemonorops, and is capable of being separated into two groups. One group
contains the typical species (Euceratolobus), having leaves: with rhomboidal or oblong-
cuneate, radiately veined leaflets, lobulate-premorse in their upper margin and on
the whole similar to those of several species of Korthalsia, from which the sterile
plants of some species, especially when young, are distinguishable only with diffieulty,
so much so that on account of this great similarity it occurred to Blume to describe
a Ceratolobus (C. rostratus Becc.) as a species of Korthalsia (K. rostrata’ BI.).
Nevertheless a Korthalsia is always recognizable by its leaf-sheaths prolonged above
their mouths into a distinct ocrea, whereas in Ceratolobus the sheaths terminate
with a membranous deciduous rim and appear exactly truncate. Moreover, all
species of Korthalsia have the leaflets provided with a special small stalk or
“ansa”, which is always absent in Ceratolobus, the leaflets in the latter being
attached directly to the rhachis, through an acute basis. As in Korthalsia, only the
adult plants of Ceratolobus have cirriferous leaves.
The stems of Ceratolobus as well as of Korthalsia are very slender in young
plants, but apparently gradually thicken with age, attaining their greatest diameter
at their upper ends at the time of flowering.
The other group (Cryptocladus) containing only the polymorphie C. laevigatus
is characterized by its leaves having linear or, linear-lanceolate, unicostate, acu-
minate leaflets. Furthermore the spathes although having exactly the same structure
as those of the other group, and their natural opening being only a slit at the
sides of the beak, easily split longitudinally along the sides. Cryptocladus differs
from Daemonorops only in having the spadix enclosed in a single’ subindehiscent
spathe.
Geographical distribution—The genus Ceratolobus is limited to the Malay
Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Only six species are known, those of the
Euceratolobus section being all localized species: C. glaucescens in Java, C. concolor in
Sumatra, C. discolor and C. rostratus in Borneo and C. Kingianus in the Malay
Peninsula. On the fontray. C. (Cryptocladus) laevigatus is a rather widely dispersed
plant, although presenting several apparently local forms, in the Malay Peninsula,
Sumatra and Borneo. |
CERATOLOBUS. 3
CERATOLOBUS.
Key TO THE SPECIES.
A. EuceratoLoBus.—Leaves with rhomboidal or cuneately oblong, radiately
veined leaflets.
I. Spadices provided with a long pedicellar part.
Leaf-sheaths armed with long spines. Leaflets mealy-glaucous under-
neath.
- d. C. glaucescens Bì —Java.
Leaf-sheaths covered with minute tubercled setae. Leaflets almost
equally green on both surfaces.
2. C. concolor Bi —Sumatra.
II. Spadices sessile.
Leaf-sheaths covered with minute seriate spiculae. Leaflets conspi-
cuously discolorous, rhomboidal, the basal and apical ones smaller
than the intermediate; spathe very large, thinly fugaciously rusty-
furfuraceous. The largest species of the genus.
3. C. discolor Becc.—Borneo.
Leaf-sheaths covered with minute seriate spicule. Leaflets. slightly
paler or subglaucescent underneath than above, the basal being
the largest. Spathe fugaciously mealy-white. Neuter flowers
similar to the males. Smaller plant than È. discolor.
4. C. Kingianus Becc—Malay Peninsula.
Leaf-sheaths covered with minute seriate spicule. Leaflets mealy
underneath, the lowest smaller than the intermediate. Spathe
fugaciously rusty-furfuraceous. Neuter flowers similar to the
female ones. A slender plant.
5. UC. rostratus Becc—Borneo. -
B. CryProcLapus—Leaves linear or narrowly lanceolate, unicostate, acuminate.
6. C. laevigatus Becc.
a. Leaflets few in fascicles, relatively broad.
Forma typica—Malay Peninsula.
8. Leaflets not many, subequidistant.
var. Pegularis—Malay Peninsula.
y. Fruit larger.
| var. Maior—Malay Peninsula.
ANN. Roy. BoT. GARD., CALCUTTA, Vor. XII.
ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
s.—Leaflets very narrow.
var. angustifolius—Malay Peninsula.
e—Leaflets numerous 12—13 on each side of the rhachis.
fe lf, Qa marya
AD UILILICLEI 1 Che
=-
VAR.
É—Stem more robust than in type; leaf-sheaths powerfully armed.
var. borneensis—Bornco, Sarawak.
7.—Leaves elongate, leaflets 15—17 on each side of. the rhachis, exactly
opposite and horizontal.
VAR. divaricatus—Dutch Borneo.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE I. A.
1—4. Ceratolobus glaucescens Bl.—Fig. 1. Extremity of a branchlet from a
female spadix ; a, female flower; b, neuter flower; c, spathel; d, involuero-
phorum; ‘e, involucre.—Fig. 2. Extremity of. a branchelet from a male
spadix ; c, spathel; d, involucre.—Fig. 3. Partial section of a female flower
showing the pistil entire; d, involucrophorum; e, involucre; f, calyx; g,
staminodes.—Fig. 4. Partial section of a male flower showing the entire
androecium (Fig. i—4 enlarged 10 diam.).
Fig. 5—7. Ceratolobus concolor Bl.—Fig. 5. Seed from the chalazal fovea side. —
Fig. 6. The same from the antiraphal side. —Fig. 7.
Longitudinal section of
the same (all enlarged 2 diam.).
C. glaucescens. r^ CERATOLOBUS. TEA 5
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES.
1. CreraroLoBUs GLAUCESCENS BL in Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veget., vii, 1334;
Rumphia, ii, 165, t. 129 and 137, F. A.; Pl. Jungh, i, 101; Mart,
Hist. Nat. Palm., iu, 196; t. 115, 1.3 Mie Fl Ind. Bat. in, 78.
Description.—Slender and high scandent. ..Sheathed stem about 15 mm. in
diameter. ^ Leaf-sheaths cylindrical, not or very slightly gibbous above, densely armed
with very unequal, scattered, rigid, slender, grayish, 2—3 cm.. long, needle-like
spreading or. deflexed spines, intermingled with others very , small and only a
few millimeters long; the mouth of the sheaths is. obliquely truncate (not produced
into an ocrea), armed with ascendent spines similar to those of the body of the
sheaths and with narrow membranous borders produced into an axillary short
triangular acute ligula. Leaves about 75 cm. long in the pinniferous part;
the petiole 5—15 or more em. long, 7—8 mm. thick, spinescent, subterete, flattish
above; the rhachis also subterete; more or less prickly, but especially armed
along the dorsum with some slender, straight, deflexed, 2—3 cm. long spines,
at first ternate, becoming solitary and smaller above; the cirrus slender,
regularly armed with small very sharp ternate claws. Leaflets not many,
8—10 on each side of the rhachis, alternate or subopposite, papyraceous,
light green above, powdery-glaucous beneath, rhomboidal, oblong-rhomboidal or
rhomboidal-cuneate, narrowing from the middle or from a little above to
an acute, not ansate, base; the upper margins subduplicately lobulate-crenate ;
the lobules very minutely setose aristate, the apex caudiculate, or prolonged into a
triangular elongate and at the sides spinülous ciliate point; leaflets radiately plicate
along several (12—15) very slender primary. nerves, the nerve of the centre being
slightly stronger than the others; the intermediate leaflets are 18—22 cm. long, 7—9
em. wide, those of both ends narrower but not shorter. | Male and female spadix
similar, attached to. the leaf-sheaths by a very slender, recurved, filiform, spinous
pedicelliform part, frequently 10—15 cm. long, but at times shorter, covered with
very slender, some long and some short, spines, the longest 8—10 mm. long. The
spathe is lanceolate-elliptical or broadly fusiform, strongly flattened with very sharp
edges, 10—25 cm. long, 2—4 cm. broad, equally narrowing to both ends, very
suddenly contracted above into a narrow linear beak, 1—2 cm. long, thinly. papyraceous
dry and brittle, of a cinnamon-brown colour, at first powdery, later glabrous; the
included flattened panicle is cupressiform, has a very slender sinuous axis and is
divided into several gradually diminishing slender floriferous branchlets ; the bracts
at each branching are small and trigonous with a subulate point and an amplectent
base. The spadices bearing only male flowers (not seen by me) according to
Martius are only slightly ‘less branched (or more? Becc.) than the female-males or ©
polygamous, and their flowers are only slightly larger than the male or neuter ónes
of the latter. In the female spadices the branchlets bear the flowers in pairs at
each flexure, every female flower being accompanied by a male (or neuter) flower ;
they are sutfulted by two short embracing spathels (produced at one side into a
triangular acute point) and correspond to the involucrophorum and involucre of
Daemonorops. Female flowers ovoid, or elongate-ovoid, acute or acuminate, 4—5 mm.
long; the calyx cyathiform, truncate, 3-toothed, strongly striately veined, longer
pi
pio
6 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. C. concolor.
than the spathels; the corolla is nearly 3 times as long as. the calyx, is parted
below the middle into 3 triangular acute or acuminate segments, and is entire and
ventricose in its lower part; the stamens have the filaments connate with the un-
divided part of the corolla and are provided with a short free portion at its throat
and have rather well formed, but sterile, narrowly sagittate anthers; ovary globose,
covered with large, suborbicular, fimbriate scales ; style almost none; stigmas elongate
trigonous, subulate thickish, strongly lamellose on inner side, spreading and recurved
during the anthesis. Neuter flowers inserted through a very short pedicel laterally
to the female, inside the lowest (the involucrophorum) of the two spathels; they
are lanceolate, more or less trigonous, acute, 5 mm. long, 1—5 mm. wide; the
calyx short with 3 acute teeth; the corolla much longer than the calyx; petals
lanceolate, acute; stamens bave the filaments adnate to the base of the petals and
with a short free part; authers linear sagittate, well formed but apparently
sterile; rudiments of the ovary very minute, papilliform. The mature Fruit
unknown.
Hanrrar.—Java: in Bantam on the mountains on the limestone rocks near
Kuripan (Res. of Buitenzorg) and in the forests in Wijnkoops Baai or Palabuan
Ratu (Miquel, Blume). From this last locality I have a specimen collected by the
late Dr. Boerlage.
OnsERVATIONS.—]t is characterized by its slender stem covered with sheaths
thickly armed with slender unequal spines; by the cuneately rhomboidal leaflets
powdery or mealy-glaucous beneath and by the reflexed spadices borne on very
slender spinous elongate pedicels.
Prate 1.—Ceratolobus glaucescens Bl. Portion of the spadix-bearing stem ;
one leaf wanting only its basal part and a separate spadix with half the spathe
removed, to show the female panicle; from a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg.,
Upper part of a leaf-sheath with a spadix “in situ:” from a specimen. collected
by Dr. Boerlage at Wijnkoops Baai.
2. CERATOLOBUS concoLor Bl. Rumphia, ii, 165, t. 120 f. 1; Mig. Fl. Ind.
Bat. m, 74.
DzscgiPTION.— Very slender. Sheathed stem 6—9 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths
distinctly puckered below the petiole, rendered more or less scabrid by very
minute tubercled spinules; the mouth truncate, with a narrow membranous border,
produced into, an axillary, short, triangular, acute glabrous or slightly hairy ligula.
Leaves 40—60 cm. long in the pinniferous part; the petiole short, 4—5 cm. long
or at times more, subterete, smooth or scabrid, unarmed or provided with a few
straggling straight spines on the dorsum; rhachis obsoletely trigonous, scantily
armed on the dorsum with distant solitary claws; the cirrus very slender, very
minutely and regularly clawed. Leaflets few, 4—5 on each side of the rhachis, all
about the same size, 12—15 cm. long, 3—5 cm. wide, alternate or subopposite,
papyraceous, light-green and dull on both surfaces, elongate-rbomboidal or cuneately
rhomboidal, narrowing from, or from a little above, the middle to an acute non-
ansate base; the upper margins irregularly undulate-crenate, the lobules very
minutely setose-aristate or muticous; the apex caudiculate or prolonged into a
C. discolor. CERATOLOBUS. 7
triangular elongate point which at the sidés is inconspicuously spinulous-ciliate ; they
are radiately plicate along 9—11 very slender primary nerves, the nerve of the
centre being slightly stronger than the others. Spadices long pedunculate. Fruit
subglobular. Seed ovate, 15 mm. long, 11 mm. broad, rounded at both ends, the
lower slightly broader than the upper, having a deep elongate chalazal fovea on
the raphal side, and the surface coarsely pitted, the hollows leading to rather deep
cylindrical intrusions of the integument, so as to render the albumen ruminated.
Embryo exactly basal.
Hasrrat.—On the east side of Sumatra in the Province of Palembang, and on
the west in the Province of Padang, along the river Singalang (Bl. Miq.), where
I collected in August 1878 sterile specimens ‘at Ajer Mantjor, about 360 m. above
the sea level. Fertile specimens have been gathered quito recently (1915) by
Grashoff (No. 189 in Herb. Bogor. and Becc.) at Lamatang Ulu in Palembang.
Osservations.—It has the general aspect of C. glaucescens, from which it differs
not only in being a more slender plant, but also in its leaf-sheaths being non-
spinous at the mouth and not covered all over with long spines, but only with
very small minute tubercled spinules or setae; but especially it differs by the
leaflets not being mealy-glaucous beneath, but almost equally green on both surfaces.
My Sumatran specimens belong to a not yet flowering plant; the sheathed stem is
5 mm. in diam., the naked canes 3 mm.; otherwise they are identical with
Blume's type, from which the description of the seed is drawn up.
The specimens collected by Grashoff (No. 189) bear spadices with very young
fruits, have the leaf-sheaths very minutely and densely scabrid ; the bases of the
petioles are also scabrid. The spadices have a very slender and long peduncular
part (13—15 cm. long); the spathe is narrowly fusiform, long beaked (13—16 cm.
‘long, 15 em. wide), very gradually narrows towards both ends, and has acute but
not winged edges.
PLATE 2.—Ceratolobus concolor Bl. Portion of the sheathed stem with an entire
leaf; and portion of the stem bearing a spadix with very young fruits. From
Grashoff's No. 189 in Herb. Beccari.
. 3. CERATOLOBUS DISCOLOR . Bece. Malesia, iii, 63.
Descriprion.—Of moderate or rather large size. The upper part of the sheathed
stem in adult fertile plants is 2—3 cm. in diam., of the younger plants only 8—10 mm.
Leaf-sheaths gibbous above, striate pluricostulate. thinly and fugaciously rusty-fur-
furaceous, covered with small, unequal, erect, brown, glossy spiculae, 4—5 mm. long
at most, often approximate by their bases and irregularly seriate ; beside this kind
of spieule, the leaf-sheaths are occasionally provided with some very thinly laminar,
flaccid lanceolate spines, 2—2°5 em. long and 3—4 mm. broad at their bases; the
mouth is obliquely truncate, unarmed, bordered by a narrow membranous’ rim, which
is prolonged into an axillary perishable ligula. Leaves rather large, about 80 em.
long in the pinniferous part; the petiole 20—30 em. long. subterete or slightly flattened
especially at its base, 6—10 mm. thick, more or less armed with straight, spreading,
scattered or shortly seriate spines; rhachis subterete or sub-trigonous being obtusely
bifaced above and rounded below, more or less armed on the dorsum, especially in
8 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. CALCUTTA. C. discolor.
its lower portion, with ternate robust claws; petiole and rhachis clothed with a
cottony, fluffy, detachable indumentum; cirrus up to 1°50 m. long, irregularly and
powerfully clawed. Leaflets 5—7 on. each side of the ‘rhachis, alternate or suboppo-
site, rigid-panyraceous, rhomboidal -or broadly cuneately rhomboidal, radiately-plicate
along several very slender primary nerves, that of the centre being slightly the
stronger, conspicuously discolorous, green above, mealy white beneath; the base
acute and non-ansate; the upper margins irregularly subduplicately lobulate and
erosely toothed, the lobules more or less minutely setose-aristate ; the apex acute or
produced into a triangular acuminate point; the intermediate leaflets of the quite adult
plant are 20—40 cm. long, and 10—18 em. wide, those of both ends or of younger
plants smaller. Male spadix . . . . Female spadix sessile, erect; the spathe very
large, 55 cm. long, 10 em. wide (in one specimen), oblanceolate-spathulate or subellip-
tical, strongly flattened with. very sharp edges, narrowing below to a rather acute base
and suddenly contracted above to a stout beak, 5—6 cm. long, the beak only split
in two halves during the anthesis; the margins near the base have a few reversed
‘spinescent teeth, otherwise they are almost smooth or obsoletely minutely toothed ;
the body is thinly coriaceous, of a cinnamon brown colour, darker inside, partially
‘covered outside with a detachable thin tobacco coloured seurf, which leaves the denud-
ed surface very minutely pitted, when observed with a lens. The female panicle
during the anthesis is strict, elongate and narrow, about 50 cm. long, twice branched ;
its main axis is slightly flattened, 6—7 mm. broad, alternately bearing several ‘gradu-
ally smalle£ fastigiate angular branches, which are divided again into several gradually
smaller flower-bearing branchlets; the spathes at the base of each primary branch
are membranous. have a short infundibular part, and are produced at one side into a
narrow, long, subulate point; the spathes of the secondary branches are smaller
and have a shorter point; the flower-bearing branchlets. have alternate, shortly
infundibuliform, truncate spathels, produced at one side into an acute point; at
each flexure of the branchlets are two flowers, one of which is a female and the
other a neuter, both suffulted by, a shallowly cupular 3-toothed involucrophorum
and an involucre; the areola of the neuter’ flower is punctiform. Female flowers
have a.broad roundish base and a trigonous acute upper ‘part, are 6 mm. long
and 4 mm. broad; the calyx is membranous,. very short, shallowly cupular, 3-
toothed ; the corolla is considerably longer than the calyx, parted to a little above
the base into 3 deltoid acute segments, its undivided part being very short;
‘filaments adnate in their lower part to the base of the corolla, triangular-
subulate i in their free part, and bearing linear-sagittate sterile anthers; ovary globose
covered with large suborbicular fimbriate Scales; stigmas sessile, elongate, thick
spreading and recurved. Neuter flowers very similar to the female ones, about as
long but narrower; the corolla has a short undivided part, the segments are triangu-
lar acuminate; the filaments are elongate and subulate; the sterile anthers are
very narrowly sagittate and inserted at the middle of the dorsum; no rudiments
of an ovary. The spadix loaded with mature fruits forms a large panicle recurved
by its weight, its spathe being destroyed. Fruit nearly spherical, 15—17 mm. in
diam., the apex very shortly conically beaked, surmounted by the very small remains
of the stigmas; scales in 12 longitudinal series, rhomboidal, broader than long,
obtuse at apex, neatly grooved along the centre, of a uniform chestnut brown
colour with a narrow darker marginant line, the margins obsoleteiy and very minutely
C. kingianus. CERATOLO BUS. 9
erose. Fruiting pertanth obconical, the fruit on that account looking as if narrowing
to the base, and attaining 2 cm. in length. Seed globular, 1 cm. in diameter;
when divested of the dry adherent crustaceous, apparently once fleshy integument,
it has a pitted surface, and an elliptical deep chalazal fovea on the raphal side;
albumen bony not deeply ruminated. Embryo basal.
Hasirat.—Borneo. This fine and distinct palm was first described from sterile
specimens collected by me in the forests near Kuching in Sarawak. It has been
later found again in flower by J. Hewitt (Kew Herb.), along the Barram River in
the N.-W. of the Island, and in fruit by D. Hallier at Amai Ambit in Dutch
Borneo (No. 3387 in Herb. Hort. Bot. Bogor.).
OnsERvATIONs.— The species is characterized by its large size; by its leaf-sheaths
being covered with minute seriate spiculae ; by its conspicuously discolored rhomboidal
leaflets, those of both ends smaller than the intermediate ones; by its spadix sessile
erect. having a very large spathe ; by its ovoid female flowers having the corolla
divided past the middle into deltoid segments ; by its neuter flowers being very similar
to and only slightly smaller than the female ones; by its globose, very faint =f api-
culate fruit suffulted by an obeonie MEATO A fruiting perianth.
The sterile specimens from Sarawak are very variable as to the size of the leaf-
sheaths (from 7 to 17 mm. in diam.) at times almost unarmed, the spinules being
apparently deciduous ; the leaflets vary from 18 to 30 cm. in length, and 6 to 14 cm,
in diameter. In Hewitt's flowering specimen the sheaths are 2 cm. in diam., and are
provided, in addition to the small spiculae, with some laminar spines; the largest
leaflets are 30 cm. long and 10 to 12 em. broad. In the fruiting specimen from
Amai-Ambit some of the sheaths are 3 cm. in diameter and covered with minute
subseriate spines ; the largest leaflets are 40 cm. long and 17'5 cm. broad.
Prate 3.—Ceratolobus discolor Becc. Upper portion of a stem bearing the base
of a spathe attached laterally to the upper part of a leaf-sheath ; the end of the spathe
represented in the preceding figure; intermediate portions of a leaf; one branch of the
female spadix. From Hewitt's specimen in the Herbarium at Kew.
PLATE 4.—Ceratolobus discolor Bece. Portion of the sheathed stem bearing the
lowest branehes of the fruiting spadix (the upper and terminal part of the spadix is
wanting). Intermediate portion of a leaf. From Hallier’s specimen in the Herbarium
at Buitenzorg. =
x
4. . CERATOLOBUS Kinafanus Beec.. m ‘Hook L PL DOL nd. vi, 41.
Ridley, Mat. FI. Mal. Penins. E 187.
DzscniPTI0N.—Of middling size, 6—8 m. long. The upper part of the sheathed
stem, in adult fertile plants, 2—3 cm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths gibbous above, when
young thinly fugaciously mealy-furfuraceous and very densely clothed up to the base
of the petiole with very minute, rigid, erect, brown hairs, disposed in very approximate
interrupted irregular series, later deciduous and leaving the surface of the sheaths
scabrid by their permanent bases, arranged in slightly raised finely imbricate ridges ;
occasionally a few larger rudimentary spines appear scattered among the hairs; the
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD. CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
10 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. C. kingianus,
mouth is obliquely truncate, unarmed, bordered by a narrow membranous brittle rim,
prolonged into an axillary perishable ligula. Leaves rather large, but the pinniferous
part short (40—55 cm. in length); the petiole 12—20 cm. long, 6—8 mm. broad, very
slightly flattened with round margins, beset all round with -short „prickles; rhachis
‘subterete or very obsoletely-trigonous, armed with ternate Maus on the dorsum ;
petiole and rhachis apparently very fugaciously mealy, later glabrous ; cirrus slender,
armed at regular intervals with ternate claws. Leaflets very few, 3—5 on each side
of the rhachis, alternate, rigid-papyraceous, cuneately rhomboidal, radiately plicate-
pluricostulate. green above, paler or “glaucescent beneath ; the base acute, non-ansate ;
the upper margins irregularly subduplicately lobulate and erosely toothed, the lobules
occasionally setose-aristate ; the apex triangular or slightly produced, acute; the
lowest leaflets are the largest, 20—30 em. long, 10—13 em. broad, those abore
gradually smaller. Spadices sessile erect, male and female externally exactly alike ;
spathe lanceolate-elliptical 20—28 cm. long, 4—7 cm. broad, strongly flattened,
equally narrowing to both ends with a beaked triangular apex ; the margins at the
base are minutely toothed, elsewhere smooth and very sharp; the body is rigid
papyraceous, cinnamon-brown at first, thinly and very fugaciously mealy, later
glabrous. Male panicle well furnished with flowers and completely filling the cavity
of the spathe ; the main axis terete, strongly sinuous, 3 times divided ; the secondary
branches also terete, slender and sinuous; the divisions of third ce are short
flower-bearing branchlets, and carry 3—6 alternate flowers; the lowest internal
(secondary) spathe is lanceolate-acuminate, considerably larger than the following ;
outside of this is a lateral primary branch; the other secondary spathes of the
main axis are tubular, closely sheathing, obliquely truncate at the mouth and produced
at one side into a subulate point; the spathels (spathes of the flower-bearing branch-
lets) are shortly infundibuliform, produced at one side into a triangular acute
spreading point, which suffults a sessile male flower ; the latter provided with a small
very shallowly eupular, trigonous, 3-toothed svaluoré. Male flowers regularly oblong,
blunt, trigonous, 5 mm. long, 2 mm. broad; the calyx shortly cupular, trigonous
three-toothed ; the corolla several times longer than the calyx, divided not
quite to the base. into 3 coriaceous, linear petals, callous (nectariferous ?) internally
in their lowest undivided part, striate, and very finely shagreened externally, when
seen through a strong lens; stamens having very slender subulate filaments,
inflexed at the apex, inserted near the base of the petals, and alternating with
their callosities ; anthers linear, very narrow, bluntish, attached at the middle of
the dorsum; the cells parallel, dehiscing laterally ; rudimentary ovary extremely
small, papilliform. The female panicle is strict, always even after the anthesis
within its spathe, twice branched; the main amis obtusely angular, bearing
alternately not many gradually smaller fastigiate branches, which are divided again
into few -flower-bearing branchlets, subunilaterally bearing 2—3 female flowers only,
each of which is accompanied by a neuter one; spathes of the branches and
spathels as in the male spadix; both involucrophorum and involucre shallowly-
eupular, 3-toothed; the areola of the neuter flower punctiform. Female flowers
subglobose, 3 mm. in diameter at the, base, and trigonous-pyramidate above ; the
calyx membranous, very short, shallowly-cupular, 3-toothed; the corolla considerably
longer than the calyx, parted a little above the base into 3 deltoid acute
segments, its undivided part being very short; filaments connate below with the
C. rostratus, CERATOLOBUR. | 11
base of the corolla, triangular subulate in their free part, and having sagittate
sterile anthers; ovary globose, covered with large suborbicular fimbriate scales ;
stigmas sessile, elongate, thick, spreading and recurved. Neuter flowers differing
considerably from the female, and very much like the male ones, being only a
little larger than these (6 mm. long) and having sterile, very narrowly sagittate
anthers. Fruiting perianth explanate. Fruit, when thoroughly mature, globose,
15 mm. in diameter, the apex very briefly conically beaked and surmounted by the
very small remains of the stigmas; scales in 12 longitudinal series. rhomboidal,
broader than long with obtuse’ apex, strongly convex, narrowly grooved along the
centre; of a uniform dark reddish brown colour when dry, orange red when fresh
with the margins smooth. Seed globular, 1 cm. in diameter, covered with a thin
. adherent integument, minutely wrinkled when dry; the chalazal fovea deep,
sulciform, lateral; albumen long, not deeply ruminate. Embryo basal.
Haprrar.—The Malay Peninsula. In dense hilly jungle at Larut in Perak
(King’s collector Nos. 5589 and 2856 in Herb. Cale.—female plant and 2547—
male plant)—In the same district coll by ZL. Wray Jun. (Herb. Mus. Perak
No. 2869.)
OnsERYATIONS.—It is a smaller plant than C. discolor. It is characterized by
the sheaths covered with minute seriate rigid spinuliform hairs, leaving after
their fall numerous approximate interrupted muricate ridges; by the pinniferous
part having few leaflets, subglaucescent, but not mealy beneath, the lowesi being
the largest; by the spathe moderately large, at first mealy pulverulent, later
glabrous, and with trigonous shortly produced apex; by the neuter flowers not
resembling the female but being very similar to the male ones; by the globular
fruit borne on a quite explanate perianth.
PrarE 5.—Ceratolobus Kingianus Becc. Leaf-sheath with’ a male spadix (a
portion of the. wall of the spathe removed to show the male panicle), and an
entire leaf. From No. 5589 in the Calcutta Horbarium.
PLate 6.—Leaf-sheath with a female spadix (half the wall of the spathe
removed to show the female panicle with young fruits inside); from No. 2856
Herb. Cale. An entire female spadix; from No. 5589 Herb. Cale. One mature
fruit. and one seed seen from the side of the chalazal fovea; from No. 5589 in
the Caleutta Herbarium.
5. CERATOLOBUS ROSTRATUS Becc.
|
Korthalsia rostrata Bl. Rumphia, ii, 168; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm., iii, 211;
Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat., iii, 75, and De Palm. Arc. Ind. 267 Walp.,
Ann., ii, 492; Becc. Malesia, ii, 76.
Ceratolobus Hallierianus Bece. MSS. name in Herb. Hort. Bot. Bogor. ;
Heyne, Nuttige Pl. Neder l. Ind. (1913), 93. :
Description.—Slender or of middling size. The upper part of the sheathed stem
in adult fertile plants 15—20 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths gibbous above, more or
less distinctly boldly striate or sub-costulate longitudinally. covered with a tobacco-
coloured scurf and armed with very unequal spines, some scattered or at times
ANN. Roy. BOT. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
12 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. C. rostratus.
slightly confluent by their bases, thinly laminar, narrowly lanceolate, reddish brown,
10—15 mm. long, often obliquely inserted, others, many more, very small and
bristle-like, approximate by their ‘bases, brittle and deciduous, leaving after their
fall small raised finely muricate interrupted ridges; the mouth is obliquely trun-
cate, unarmed, bordered by a narrow membranous brittle rim, and prolonged
into an axillary perishable ligula. Leaves rather large, pinniferous part about 80
em. in length; the petiole 18 to 20. em. long, 6—7 mm. broad, very slightly
flattened with round margins and beset all round with unequal, at times shortly
seriate prickles ; rhachis subterete or very obsoletely trigonous, armed on the dorsum
with ternate, and higher up and especially on the cirrus with. 5-nate or half-
whorled claws; petiole and rhachis covered partially with tobacco-coloured detach-
able scurf. Leaflets 6—7 on each side of the rhachis, alternate or subopposite,
rigid-papyraceous, cuneately rhomboidal, radiately plicate-pluricostulate, green above,
ashy gray or whitish beneath; the base acute, non-ansate; the upper margins irre-
gularly lobulate undulate, erosely toothed and deciduously ciliolate; the apex
triangular-acuminate ; the intermediate leaflets are the largest, 20—27 cm. long,
8—9 cm. broad; the lowest pair smaller’ and narrower. Spadices sessile, erect ;
spathe lanceolate-elliptical, 28 cm. long, 5 cm. wide (in one specimen), strongly
flattened, natrowing equally to both ends; the apex triangular and prolonged into |
a narrow linear beak, the margins very sharp, entire, the body rigid-papyraceous,
cinnamon brown, covered partially outside with a detachable thin tobacco-coloured
seurf. Male panicle much divided into short, very slender, floriferous branchlets.
Male flowers very small, 2'5 mm. long, trigonous-ovoid, obtuse; calyx very small,
shallow trigonous. Female panicle strict; the main axis slender, sinuous, bearing
gradually . smaller fastigiate branches, each of which is very slightly divided into
small floriferous branchlets bearing only 2—3 femalé flowers (each as usual accom-
panied by a neuter); spathes with a short tubular part produced at one side into
a long subulate point; the spathels very shortly infundibular and produced at one
side into a triangular spreading point; involucrophorum and involucre shallowly
eupular,:3-toothed. Female flowers 5 mm. long, a little over 3 mm. in diameter,
ovoid, trigonous-pyramidate in tneir upper part; the calyx very short, shallowly
eupular, 3-toothed ; the corolla considerably longer than the calyx, parted to a little
above the base into 3 deltoid, aeute segments, its undivided part being very short;
filaments connate below with the base of the corolla, triangular in their free
part and bearing small sagittate rudimentary anthers; ovary globose, covered with
large suborbicular fimbriate scales; stigmas sessile elongate, thick, spreading and
recurved. Neuter flowers very similar to female ones, only a little more slender,
more acuminate and a trifle longer, having. like those, the lower part of the
corolla urceolate, but wanting the ovary, and having the cavity lined with the
bases of the filaments of the stamens; the free part of the filaments elongate and .
filiform ; the sterile anthers are slender and sagitiate. The perianth is apparently
explanate under the fruit; this was seen by me only when very young.
HaBrrAT.—Dutch South Borneo. I have flowering specimens from Bandjermasin
(No. 17 in Herb. Hort. Bot. Bogor. and Beccari) and others sterile from the same
place collected by Heyne (19 bis and 30 in Herb. Hort. Bot. Bogor.) Sterile
specimens, which exactly correspond to K. rigida Bl. were also collected by Hallir
C. laevigatus. CERATOLOBUS. 13
in 1893-94 on the Sungei Kenepai in Dutch Borneo (No. 2088 in Herb. Bogor.).
The specimens upon which was established X. rigida Bl. were collected on the
Duson.
OBsERVATIONS.—It is a very near ally of C. Kengianus, which it greatly
resembles in general habit and in the spadices; it differs however from this latter
in the leaves having -more leaflets, of which the lowest pair are smaller than the
intermediate ; it differs also in the spathe being covered more or less with tobacco-
coloured scurf, and in the neuter flowers being very similar to the fertile ones.
The young plant of C. rostratus collected by Hallier (No. 2088) exactly
corresponds to K. rostrata Bl, of which I have seen a portion of the type
specimen preserved in the Leyden Herbarium. In this the leaflets have no ansa,
and this alone is a character sufficient for retaining K. rostrata Bl. as a Ceratolobus.
In Hallier's specimen from Amai Ambit, which evidently sas detached from a
young plant, the sheathed stem is 6—7 mm. in diameter, the leaves have a very
short petiole, are about 40 cm. long in the pinniferous part, and have 5—6 leaflets
on each side of the rhachis; the leaflets are elongate, cuneately rhomboidal,
conspicuously caudiculate-rostrate and whitish beneath; the intermediate and largest
leaflets are 13—15 em. long, 4—5 cm. broad, the lowest being considerably smaller. _
One of Heyne’s specimens (19 bis) also taken from a young plant is very
similar to that of Hallier; its sheathed stem is 8 mm. in diameter; the petioles
are 5—7 cm. long and the leaflets as in Hallier’s specimen; but another specimen of
the same collector (taken however from a more adult plant) has the sheathed —
stem 15 mm. in diameter, the petioles are 12—15 em. long. and the leaflets 20—23
em. in length; this specimen evidently forms a connecting link to the adult plant
described above; the apex of the leaflets is very variable, at times being long
beaked and at times almost blunt as in Heyne’s specimen No. 30 from Bandjermasin :
this specimen is also remarkable for its slender stem, its sheaths being only 12
mm. in diameter and encircled by very few laminar spines, whereas in the other
also of Heyne (No. 19) mentioned above, the sheaths are 15 mm. in diameter, the
laminar spines are numerous, often confluent by their bases, and the muricate ridges
are few and much interrupted.
The male flowers have been described from ‘a plant that has flowered recently
at Buitenzorg (Herb. No. 309).
PLate 7.—Ceratolobus rostratus Bece. Portion of a leaf-sheath with a spadix and
one leaf, from Bandjermasin (No. 17 in Herb. Bogor.). |
\
PLare 8.—Ceratolobus rostratus Becc. Terminal part of a young plant
corresponding to Korthalsta rostrata Bl. from Sungei Kenepai (Hallier No. 2088 in
Herb. Bogor.).
6. CERATOLOBUS LAEVIGATUS, Becc. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 477; Ridley,
Mat. Fl. Mal Penins. n, 187; Heyne, Nuttige PI. Nederl. Ind. (1913),
P x 2 ;
Calamus laevigatus Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm in, 339; Walp.. Ann. iii, 489
and v, 831; Mig. Fl. Jnd. Bat. ui 129.
14 ANNAES OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. C. laevigatus.
Calami sp. Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 72, and Palms Brit. Ind.
2 (last 5 lines.)
Ceratolobus laevigatus var. angustifolia Becc. in Hook. f. l. c.
Ceratolobus subangulatus Becc. in Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Cale, XI (Suppl.
II.
Calamus subangulatus. Miq. Prodr. Fl. Sum. 256, 594.
DescrIPrIoN.--Slender and apparently not very high scandent (275—3 m. high—
Ridley). Sheathed stem 8—14 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths strongly gibbous above,
covered with a tobacco-coloured fugacious scurf, brown when dry, often boldly, but
at times faintly, striate-pluricostulate, armed with scattered, occasionally subconfluent,
flattened, broad-based, spreading, deflexed, pale spines, 5—10 mm. long; the mouth
obliquely truncate, unarmed, bordered by a narrow membranous brittle rim,
prolonged into an axillary perishable ligula. eaves small, the pinniferous part
usually 40—45 cm., up to 60 cm., long but at times only 25—30 em.; the petiole
almost wanting, the lowest leaflets being inserted very near the mouth of the
sheaths; rhachis trigonous, armed along the dorsum, at times powerfully, with’
solitary or ternate claws; the cirrus slender and elongate, armed with very
approximate halfwhorls of very sharp claws. Leaflets usually not very numerous.
10—12 on each side of the rhachis, rarely so many as 15—17, variously set, frèquent-
ly in distant opposite groups of 2—3 on each side of the rhachis, or else, and this
frequently, subequidistant ; some of the leaflets, specially the intermediate, are
exactly opposite and divaricate, those of one side forming with those of the other
side one horizontal line; the leaflets of the apex are ascendent
deflexed ; they are papyraceous, green on both surfaces, lanceolate, oblanceolate or
linear-lanceolate, at times very elongate and narrow, tapering below to an acute
base, where they are furnished with a more or less distinct axillary callus; are
acuminate and suddenly contracted above or are, at times, gradually lengthened
out into a very narrowly linear or filiform tip, 15—20 mm. long, bristly penicillate
at its apex; their mid-costa is slender, raised on the upper surface, smoothy or at
times very sparingly setulose only above or also on both surfaces; secondary
nerves 2 on each side of the mid-costa, very slender; transverse veinlets faint ;
the lower margin is often marked on, the upper surface with a broad polished
band; the margins are very remotely ciliate-spinulous ; the intermediate leaflets
are the ‘largest; the proportion of their length to their breadth is very variable,
some being 10—15 cm. long and 15—20 mm. broad, and others 25 cm. long and
only 12—13 mm. broad, the lowest leaflets are' at times very narrow and have a
more distinct basal callosity than the upper. Spadices erect, male and, female
externally alike, borne on a short pedicellar part (1—2 cm. long), ‘flattened and
acutely two-edged. Spathe narrowly lanceolate-elliptical or flattened-fusiform. 12—30
em. long, 2—3 em. broad, gradually narrowing below to an acute base, and above to
a long and narrow beak, dry, papyraceous, cinnamon-brown, finely and fugaciously
rusty-furfuraceous, the edges very sharp. The normal opening of the spathe is
along the margins of the beak, but frequently its walls are split longitudinally,
these being very thin and brittle. Male panicle well furnished with flowers,
completely filing the cavity of the spathe, much branched, its main axis strongly
sinuous ; the floriferous branchlets are divisions
and the lower
of third degree, very short, and
LI
=
C. laevigatus. CERATOLOBUS. 15
carry 2—3 flowers only; spathels shortly infundibuliform, produced at one side into
a triangular acute point suffulting a sessile male flower, of which the involucre
is small, very shallowly cupular, trigonous, and 3-toothed. Male flowers regular,
ovoid-ventricose, trigonous, and obtuse; 4 mm. long, 3 mm. broad ; the -calyx
membranous, shallow, broadly 3-lobed ; the corolla much longer has the calyx,
parted nearly to the base into 3 intrisi bitb: m bluntish coriaceous petals. Stamens
(the several flowers examined had had all their stamens destroyed by
an insect) ^ Female panicle twice branched, its primary branches alternate, straight,
terete, puberulous-furfuraceous and divided into few floriferous branchlets, each
branchlet having 3—5 alternate flowers ; spathels infundibuliform, truncate obliquely
at the mouth, and produced at one side into a triangular acute point; involu-
erophorum cyathiform and frequently distinctly pedicellate, similar to the spathel ;
involucre slightly protruding beyond the involucrophorum, shortly eupular more or
less distinctly 3-toothed ; areola of the neuter flower distinct. Female flowers 6
mm. long, 4 mm. broad, ovoid, having the lower half slightly ventricose; the
calyx membranous, very shallowly cupular, 3-toothed ; the corolla. coriaceous, parted
down not farther than to the middle, into 3 thickish semiovate segments ; filaments
adnate below to the ventricose base of the corolla, triangular in the free-part ;
anthers sterile, linear-sagittate ; ovary globular, clothed with large suborbicular
fimbriate scales; style distinct, stout ; stigmas thick, elongate, recurved. Neuter
jlowers very initiate to the male ones “(they had also had the stamens destroyed
by au insect). Fruit subglobose-ovoid, or -elliptical-ovoid, conically beaked. 16—20
mm. long (rarely more), 12—15 mm. in diameter, borne on the very shortly pedicelli-
form perianth; scales in 12 longitudinal series, dark or reddish-brown, rather
dull, convex, narrowly grooved along the centre, bluntish, the margins very finely
erose. Seed globular-ovoid, about 1 cm. in diameter; its surface obscurely pitted
being covered by the thin adherent (perhaps once dia fleshy) integument ; chalaza
fovea central, rather deep; albumen ruminate. Embryo. basal.
HanrrAr.—The Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo. It seems a
rather common plant in the "Malay Peninsula. At Malacca (Grifith—the type specimen
in the Caleutta and Kew Herbaria); in the district of Perak (Scortechini Nos. 126.
123° in Herb. Becc.); at Larut (King's collector Nos. 5916, 8092, 7953, 1879); at
Goping (King’s collector No. 971) and Maxwells Hill (Ridley No. 3488 in Herb. Becc.); 4
in Selangore at Sungei Buluh (Ridley No. 13448 in Herb. Kew) and Semangkok
Pass (Ridley No. 12120 in Herb. Becc.); in Singapore (Ridley No. 10220 in Herb.
Becc.); Dinding at Lamut (Ridley No. 3489 in Herb. Becc.) Ridley gives also the
following localities (the specimens not seen by me)—Perak at Bujong Malacca
(Curtis, Ridley No. 9812); Gunong Keledang (Ridley No. 9808) ; Kamuning (Macchado);
in Dinding at Lamut (Ridley Nos. 7907, 10270).
In Sumatra it was first collected by Teijsmann in the West at Priaman.
(No. 2024 in Herb. Bogor.)—This is. the type specimen of C. subangulatus Miq.
I have found it again at Ajer. Mantjor in the Prov. of Padang (Bec. P. S.
No. 519). dE
In Borneo in Sarawak (Merrill's Native collector No. 1471 in Herb. Manila);
Dutch Borneo at Liang-gagan (Hallier No. 2758 in Herb. Bogor.); at Bandelin
(No. 22 in Herb. Bogor.).
16 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. CALCUTTA. C. laevigatus.
OxservaTions.—A very variable plant,-of which several sub-species could be dis-
tinguished, if any value could be attached to the size, shape, and arrangement of
the leaflets on the rhachis; but no appreciable differences are offered by the spadices,
flowers and fruit. We may recognize the following varieties :
Var. a (FoRMA TYPICA). With Grifüth's type specimen of C. laevigatus agrees
Ridleys No. 12120 and Scortechini’s Nos. 123° and 126°. All these specimens have
leaves with a short pinniferous part and lanceolate leaflets, relatively broad and short,
15—22 mm. broad, 10—20 cm. long, suddenly contracted at apex, and arranged
into more or less distant opposite groups.
Var. 8 nEGULARIE. The leaflets are more elongate and narrower than in var. a
aud are almost regularly set, opposite-divaricate, those of one side forming a horizontal
line with those of the opposite side. To this variety is referable Ridley's No. 3489
from Larut.
Var. y MAJOR. The fruit is larger than in any other variety, it is ovoid-ellip-
tical; 25 mm. long, 18 mm. in diameter; the seed is ovoid, 14 mm. long, 10 mm.
across. Ridley’s No. 7953 from Larut belongs to this variety.
Var. è ANGUSTIFOLIUS. (King’s collector No. 1879) from Larut on the hills is
the -type of C. laevigatus var. angustifolius Bece. in Hook. f. l. c. It differs from
the type in its smaller dimensions and more slender stem; in the" very narrow, very
acuminate grouped leaflets, and apparently also in its more distinctly conically beaked
fruits. ]
Var. € suBANGULATUS. This is Calamus subangulatus Miq. It differs from the
typical form in having the pinniferous part of the leaves more elongate, with
12—13 very elongate and narrow leaflets on each side on the rhachis, not grouped,
but usually regularly opposite and divaricate exactly as in var. #8, often bristly on the
mideosta on both surfaces. It is the Sumatran form of C. laevigatus, and to it
belong thè specimens collected by me at Ajer Mantjor (P. S. No. 519).
Var. E BORNEENSIS. Rather robust; sheathed stem 15 mm. in diameter, rather
powerfully armed; the leaflets very irregularly set but not so distinctly grouped as
^in type, relatively large and broad, the largest. 25 cm. long, 25 mm. wide; the spathe
has some reversed spinules on the margins near the base. To this belongs
Merrill’s No. 1771- from Sarawak.
Var. 7 DIVARICATUS. This, established on Halliers No. 2758 from Dutch
Borneo, is a variety more distinct than all the preceding. The pinniférous part
is about 60 em. long, with 15—17 leaflets on each side of the rhachis, regularly
arranged, those of one side exactly opposite to those of the other side, and the
two forming a horizontal line; they are very narrow, the largest 22—25 cm. long,
12—14 mm. wide, very gradually acuminate to -a slightly asymmetrical point,
having a few centimeters from the apex, a small indentation on the lower margin,
often rendered more visible by a few bristles at that point.
It is needless to note that the length of 18—30 ft. attributed to leaves of
C. laevigatus in Hook f. Fl. Brit. Ind. is a “lapsus calami."
ì
C. scortechinii. CALOSPATHA. 17
Prate 9.—Ueratolobus laevigatus Bece. (forma typica) Ridley's specimen with
‘mature fruits, No. 12128, from Semangkok Pass.
Pirate 10.—Ceratolobus ` laevigatus Beec. (forma typica). Portion of the sheathed
stem with a leaf and a male spadix ; portion of the sheathed stem with a Somalo
spadix; from Scortechini's No. 123° collected in Perak (Herb. Bece.)
PLate 11.—Ceratolobus laevigatus var. subangulatus Bece. Portion of the plant
with a spadix in fruit and an entire leaf. From. “Piante Sumatrane " No. 519 in
Herb. Becc. This corresponds to Calamus subangulatus Miq.
CALOSPATHA BECC.
Bece. in Ann. R. Bot. Garden, Calcutta, xii, 232. \
A calamoid dioecious polyearpic Y palm, apparently of the habit of a Daemonorops
Stem c9 Uo DATE N S - Male spadix . . . . . Female spadix
(or its sibus FECE TORTO ?) on ci with several persistent subdistichally
imbrieate large spinous spathes, each of which, except the lowest, embraces a
floriferous branchlet. The outer or lowest spathe sheaths a short peduncular part, and
only partially envelopes: the others. Flower-bearing branchlets shorter than the
spathes, slightly divided, sheathed by short spathels as in Daemonorops, and bearing
alternate female flowers, provided with involucrophorum and involuere; apparently
the female flowers are not aecompanied by neuter ones, as no areola for their insertion
is visible; in any case the areola is inconspicuous. Female flowers (judging from the
fruiting perianths) have the calyx short, with 3 acute points; the corolla is longer
than the calyx and very deeply 3-parted ; the sterile stamens form with their connate
filaments a shallow 6-radiate cup; ovary (judging from the fruit) globular, having
a short thick style and thickly subulate internally lamellate stigmas. Fruit con-
taming 2—3 seeds, globular, clothed with appressed scales, shortly and stoutly beaked,
and crowned by the recurved permanent stigmas. Seeds enveloped by a very scanty
integument ; the testa smooth; the chalazal fovea indistinct ; albumen homogeneous ;
embryo basal.
CALOSPATHA Scorrecninit Bece. in Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard., Calcutta, xii, 232.
Daemonorops Calospatha Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 176 (partly ?).
Descrrption.—The only specimen available is an apparently entire lateral
fruiting spadix, 35 cm. in length, having a short flattened pedicellar part, 8 mm.
wide, covered irregularly with light brown, straight, flattened spines, 10—25 mm.
long; the lowest spathe is oblong, 15 mm. in length, about 3 em. wide, of a
firmer texture than those which follow, but of the same’ colour and appearance,
and covered all over outside with scattered unequal spines. The spathes suffult-
ing the floriferous branchlets are about 10 in number, of a deep cinnamon-brown
colour, dry, subfoliaceous, thinly rigid-papyraceous, very minutely rusty-furfuraceous
outside, almost polished inside, oblong, very shortly sheathing at the base, otherwise
explanate, with a broad apex which very suddenly narrows into a long subulate
beak ; the latter armed with conspicuous spreading straight, flattened, light brown
spines, 10—15 mm. long, having a bulbous base; the lower spathes have the
blade 10—12 cm. long, 3 cm. wide, the beak a em. long, and are more or less
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD. CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
18 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. C. -scortechinit.
spinous, especially towards the apex; the. succeeding spathes become gradually
smaller and less spinous, and are more shortly beaked. The floriferous branch-
lets are shorter than their respective spathes, 2—5 cm. long. and usually have
a smaller ‘branchlet at their base; their axial part is .thiekish, sinuous, speedily
narrows above and carries very few flowers; the spathels are annular-cyathiform,
truncate, slightly produced at. one side; involucroghorum shallowly cupular ;
involuere slightly exceeding the involucrophorum, shallow, subdisciform and entire.
Female flowers 7 mm. long. Fruit globular, slightly broader than high, and very
obsoletely 3-lobed, 2 cm. in diameter, shortly and stoutly beaked, crowned by the
permanent circinnate stigmas, 5 mm. long; scales in about 24 vertical series, very
appressed, uniformly shining black in the exposed part, straw yellow in the
posticous covered part, with a V shaped depression along the centre; the apex,
acute but not produced; the margins obsoletely erosely-toothed. The few fruits
examined -contained 2—3 seeds; when the seeds are 2 in number; they have
‘a flat inner face and convex dorsum; when there are 3, they have the dorsum
also convex, and two inner faces separated by a salient angle; are about 12 mm.
long, and 6 mm. thick; when cleansed from the thin, apparently once slightly
fleshy integument, their surface is almost even, dull dark brown, and with an
inconspicuous punctiform chalazal fovea. Fruiting pertanth explanate; the calyx
entire with the base slightly thickened; the divisions of the corolla twice as long
as the calyx, elongate and triangular. | i
Hasrrat.—Father Seortechini collected of this curious and very interesting Palm,
only one fruiting spadix (or a partial inflorescence of it ?) in the state of Perak,
probably on Gunong (Mount) Bubu, but the label accompanying the specimen evidently
belongs to another plant. Ridley gives for his Daemonorops Calospatha the locality
of Gunong Kelendang, which is also in Perak.
OssERvATIONs.—[t is a very distinct Palm, not allied to any other known to me;
apparently related te Daemonorops, from which it differs mainly in its fruit with
9—3 seeds, having a homogeneous albumen, a character not encountered iu any
species of Daemonorops. ‘Ihe peculiar structure and disposition of its spathes
approaches Calospatha to Plectocomia, but apparently the first has lateral, non-
terminal intlorescences ; furthermore all Plectocomias have smooth (not spinous) spathes.
The description given by Ridley of the fruiting spadix of his Daemonorops
Calospatha is exactly that of the type specimen of Calospatha Scortechinii existing
in my herbarium; of this specimen a drawing was sent by me to Kew, precisely
under the name of Calospatha Scortechinii, together with my manuscript notes for
the “Flora of British India," wherein however this Palm was not included.
Ridley gives also the description of the stem and leaves of his Daemonorops
Calospatha; but no leaves accompany in my herbarium the spadix described above,
and I have not seen the leaves and the stem of the specimens that Ridley considers
as belonging to the spadix he deseribes. Of this he says that the fruit is covered
with orange scales having brown edges; whereas in my specimen the fruit is
uniformly black. ‘There is therefore some ground for doubt, as to the complete
identity of Daemonorops Calospatha Ridley with Calospatha Scortechinii Becc.
PLate 12.—Calospatha Scortechinii Becc. The entire type specimen in Herb.
Beccari.
PLECTOCOMIA. 19
PLECTOCOMIA MART. ET BL. *
Mart. et Blume in Schult. Syst. Veg. vii, 2, 1333; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii,
198, t. 114, 116, f. 1; Blume, Rumphia, iu, 68, t. 158, 159, 163; Griff. in Cale.
Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 5, 95 and Palm. Brit. Ind. 103, App. XXI, t. 217, 218, 219;
Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 78, and Prodr. Fl. Sum. 592; Kurz. For. Fl. Brit. Burma,
ii, 514 and in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xlii, II, 207 t. xvi—xxvii; T. Anders. in
Journ. Linn. Soc. xi, 11; H. Wendl. in Bot. Zeit. 1859, 165; Bot. Magaz. t. 5105;
Hook. et Benth. Gen. Plant. iii, 934; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi. 477 ; Ridley, Mat,
Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 219; Rendle in Journ. of Bot. 1897, 73; Brandis, Ind. Trees,
649; Gamble, Man. Ind. Timb. 737 (2nd ed.). .
Large climbing, monocarpic, dicecious, spinose, calamoid palms, ending in a
terminal inflorescence composed of several partial panicles, issuing from the axillas
of the uppermost, gradually much reduced leaves. Leaves of the adult plant terminat-
ing in a clawed cirrus, pinnate. Leaf-sheaths elongate, not flagelliferous, not gibbous
above, and gradually passing into the petiole without axillary ligula and without
ocrea at the mouth. Leaflets lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, aeuminate, unicostate
and usually furnished on each margin with a nerve about as strong as the
mid-costa; secondary nerves slender; no spines or bristles on the mid-costa and
lateral nerves; lower surface without scales or microlepidia, frequently discolorous.
Male and female partial inflorescences or panicles similar, simply branched; the
branches very long, spiciform, pendulous, having some tubular spathes in their basal
part, otherwise entirely covered with closely imbricating, distichous, thinly coriaceous,
persistent, concave spathels, embracing and shielding in their axillas the spicate
dicecious flowers. Spikelets shorter than their respective spathels; male many-
flowered ; female shorter, few-flowered, both provided with small bracts and bracteoles.
The male spikelets have two collateral flowers at each indenture of their smal]
slender rhachis. Male flowers slightly asymmetrical; the calyx campanulate and
3-toothed, or shallow and trigonous; the corolla several times longer than the calyx,
parted nearly to the base into 3 valvate, cartilaginous, acuminate petals, stamens
normally 6, resting on a short torus and subulate from a thickened base; anthers
narrow, erect, with parallel cells; rudimentary ovary very small. Female flowers
much larger than the male ones; the calyx cupular, more or less deeply 3-toothed
or 3-parted ; the corolla longer than the ealyx, cupular or ventricose in its lowest
part, divided in the remainder into 3 acuminate segments; the staminodes form with
the connate bases of their filaments a shallow cup, divided into 6 radiating teeth,
each supporting a sterile although rather well conformed anther. Ovary globose or
ovoid, covered with scales, and having 3 dissepiments, early absorbed, and finally
unilocular ; ovules 3, basilar, usually only one evolving; style very short or obsolete ;
stigmas elongate, thick, fleshy, subulate. Fruit globose; pericarp thin and brittle,
covered with numerous small scales, frequently fimbriate. Seed globular or globular-
depressed, covered with a scanty integument more or less fleshy, and erect in the
ANN. Roy. BoT. GARD, CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
20 . ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
pericarpal cavity; the hilum small, basal; the surface equable or nearly so (not
pitted); chalaza apical; the raphe short; albumen homogeneous; embryo basal.
Fruiting pertanth persistent, hardening.
A very natural and well charaeterized genus, not having marked affinities with
the other climbing Calamoid palms, on aecount of the peculiar structure of the spadix.
The sterile plants however are with difficulty distinguishable from Plectocomiopsis
and Myrialepis, having, like these, leaf-sheaths without flagella and ocreæ, gradually
passing into the petioles, without gibbosity at the base of these, and leaflets unicostate
with thickened margins; Myrialepis and Plectocomiopsis, however, have the lower
surface of the leaflets dotted with minute microlepidia, which are always absent in
Plectocomia. The long pendulous spikes, very regularly covered with approximate
imbricate spathels protecting the small spikelets, form the most striking characteristic
which serves to distinguish Plectocomia from all the other Lepidocaryee.
It has been a subject of discussion if in Plectocomia the inflorescence is
terminal or axillary. In fact the Plectocomias are all without exception monocarpic
palms, or in other words the stem that has produced an inflorescence perishes
after the maturity of the fruits; but the inflorescence is frequently composed of
several partial panicles, each coming forth from the axil of a leaf, which in the
lower panicles is very similar to the cauline ones. but becomes gradually smaller
in the upper panicles and is finally much reduced in those of the end.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—The Plectocomias are exclusively N.-E. Indian and
Indo-Malayan palms, being found in the Eastern Himalaya, Assam, Burma, Siam,
Cochin-China, the Malay Peninsula, in continental Asia, and in the Islands of
Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Billiton; Borneo and Mindanao. The most northerly species
P. himalayana, which grows luxuriantly in Sikkim, has no marked affinities with
those of the not very far distant Khasia Hills (P. khastana) and of Assam (P.
assamica and P. bractealis); on the contrary these last three, together with P.
Kerrana from N.-W. Siam and P. Pierreana from Cochin-China constitute a distinct
group, havıng manifest affinities in common. Another group of allied species is
formed by P. macrostachya of Lower Burma, P. Grifithii of the Malay Peninsula,
and P. elongata of Java and Sumatra.
A third group is composed of P. Muelleri’, a Bornean plant, of its ally
P. billitonensis of Billiton, and of P. Elmeri, growing in Mindanao; this last
having evidently a common origin with P. Mueller.
i
KEY TO THE SPECIES. ,
A. Calyx of the male flowers campanulate or cyathiform :. of the female flowers
ovotd-campanulate, coriaceous, with obconical, solid and hard base.
I. Fruiting perianth having the base obconical, but not pedicelliform in
the fruiting stage. The calyx in the male flowers tomentose at the
mouth. Leaflets mealy-white beneath. Fruit woolly from the fimbriate
upturned tips of the scales. È
PLECTOCOMIA. 21
* Female spikelets composed of 3—5. flowers. Fruit 25—28 mm.
in diameter. Male flowers 10—11 mm. long, sessile.
I. P. elongata Mart.—Java and Sumatra. \
P. elongata v. bangkana Becc.
Bangka.
A smaller. plant.
** Female spikelets composed of 5—9 flowers. Fruit 15—16 mm.
in diameter.
2. P. Griffithii Becc.
Malay Peninsula, Singapore.
*** Male spikes larger than in the two preceding species and
with larger spathels (7 cm. long) Male flowers also larger,
12—15 mm. long, distinetly pedicellate. Female flowers and
fruit unknown.
3. P. macrostachya Kurz.
Lower Burma.
II. Female flowers having the ealyx tapering to a narrow base which
later forms a conspicuous pedicel to the fruit. The calyx
of the male flowers glabrous at the mouth.
* Female flowers 12 mm. long (not including the stigmas), having
a scabrid pedicel and calyx ; the calyx before and during the
anthesis suddenly expands into a eupular 3-toothed limb.
Female flowers (not including the stigmas) 19 mm. long. Fruit
hairy. Upper leaves having lanceolate, acute, or shortly acu-
minate leaflets, green on both surfaces.
4, P. Muellerii Bl.— Borneo.
** Female flowers 10 mm. long, having the calyx smooth and
glabrous, parted before and during the anthesis into 3 ovate
segments. Ovary densely hairy. Upper leaves having elongate- i
lanceolate or ensiform very long-acuminate leaflets, green above,
rusty-furfuraceous beneath.
5. P. billitonensis Becc— Billiton.
*** Female flowers 18—20 mm. long, having the calyx tapering
to a long and narrow pedicelliform lower part, and the limb
3-parted. Leaflets lanceolate, acuminate, destitute of any kind
of indumentum underneath. Fruit globular depressed, mammillate,
smooth, the scales not fimbriate.
6. P. Elmerii Becc.—Mindanao.
B. Calyx of the male flower shallow, trigonous or 3-toothed; of the female
flower thinly cartilaginous, cupular, not thickened at the base. Fruiting
perianth explanate. |
22 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
I Leaflets green on both «surfaces.
. Leaflets terminated by a filamentose | tip. Spathels (of the
male and female spadix) twice as long as broad, finely
" tomentose outside. Fruit globular, rounded above, not mam-
millate, 15 mm. in diameter; scales appressed, not fimbriate.
7. P. himalayana Griff.
Sikkim Himalaya.
II Leaflets green above and distinctly mealy-white beneath, acute
or acuminate but not having a filamentose tip.
* Spathels tomentose externally.
T Axis of the spikes and spikelets densely rusty-tomentose.
Female flowers having a very short pedicel provided with
small bracts, 4—5 mm. long, and having the divisions of
the corolla much longer than the calyx. Fruit slightly
conically-beaked, densely villose.
8. P. assamica Gri Assn.
Tf Axis of the spikes and spikelets densely rusty-tomentose.
Female flowers pedicellate, provided with conspicuous
bracts 10—15 mm. long, and having the calyx split from
the base into triangular acuminate segments, slightly shorter
than ihe corolla. Ovary densely villose.
9. P. hractealis Becc—Assam.
i
-ttt Axis of the spikes and spikelets glabrescent. Fruit of
smooth appearance covered with scales having the margins
simply fimbriate and the tip not crisped.
10. P. khasiana G:îf—Khasia
Hills.
** Spathels entirely glabrous.
- Axis of the spikes and spikelets. scabridulous. Fruiting
perianth with a very small trigonous calyx, several times
shorter than the corolla. Fruit of ‘smooth appearance,
slightly squarrose, the scales having short ciliate tips.
Seel exactly spherical.
11. P. Kerrana Becc—Siam.
III Leaflets slightly paler below than above.
Spathels glabrous. Fruit slightly squarrose, exaetly spherical,
having the scales very minutely ciliate-fringed. Fruiting
perianth explanate with trigonous 3-toothed calyx; the corolla
thrice as long as the calyx. Seed slightly depressed.
12. Pierreana Decc.—Cochin-China.
P. elongata. PLECTOCOMIA. 23
Description or Pirate I—B.
1-4. Plectocomia elongata Mart. & BL—Fig. l.—Femále flower. Fig. 2.—Male
flower. Fig. 3.—Section of a male flower showing a petal and the two stamens
opposite to it. Fig. 7—A stamen from the dorsum (Fig. 1) enlarged 4, the others
6 diameters).
Fig. 5° Plectocomia bractealis Becc.— Female flower (xd)
Fig. 6. Plectocomia assamica Grif.—Female flower (x 4).
Fig. 7. Plectocomia Kerrana JBecc.—Male flower [x A
EXCLUDED SPECIES.
PLecrocomia sumatRANA Mig. Prodr. Fl. Sum. 592=P. elongata Mart. et BI. ?
This species was established on very scanty material, consisting mostly of very juvenile inflorescences, of
which I have seen a portion from the Utrecht Herbarium, aud another portion of the same collecting from
Buitenzorg ; this last had the label in Teijsmann's hand-writing—'* Nə. 2034. Sitabe, Paya Kombo." One leaflet
united to fragments of a spike. exactly corresponds to the fragments of P. elongata Mart. from Java.
DESCRIPTIONS oF SPECIES,
1. PLecrocomia ELoNGATA Mart. and Bl. in Roem. et. Sch. Syst. Veg. vii, 1333;
Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 198, t. 114 and 116, f. 1; Kunth, Enum.
Plant. ii, 202; Blume, Rumphia iii, 68, t. 58 and 163 A, Miq. Fl. Jungh.
1.101; Fl Ind. Bei. iu, 79; Prodr. Fl Sum. 255: De Palm. Arc. Ind.
215 Hook. f£. FI Brit. Ind: vi, 479; Ridley, Mat. FL Mal Penis. d
220; Heyne, Nutt. Plant. v. Nederl. Ind. (1913) 103.
P. sumatrana Miq. Prodr. Fl. Sum. 255, 592; De Palm. Arc. Ind. 97.
Calamus mazimus Reinw. in Bl. Cat. Hort. Bog. 59.
,
DescripTion.—A_ gigantic climbing palm up to 30 m. high at the flowering
time. ‘The sheathed stem as thick as the arm. The leaf-sheaths in young plants
are obliquely truncate at the mouth, have no ocrea or ligula, are clothed in the
lower covered part with a dense cottony yellowish-white tomentum, and are unarmed
above; in the adult plant the leaf-sheaths are very thick and woody, armed, at
least in their uppermost part, along the dorsum, with a line of digitate spines,
having very thick confluent bases, and slender brittle filiform points. Leaves very
large; the pinniferous part in the adult plant 2—3 m. long; the petiole short and
stout (20 em. long in one specimen) concave-convex with acute margins; rhachis
very robust, in its lower portion 5 em. wide or thereabouts, broadly channelled
aobve, convex beneath, with flat margins 5 mm. wide, upon which are inserted. the
leaflets ; the dorsum is armed, like the petiole, with, at first binate, but higher up
solitary robust spines, changing above into claws; on the margins the spines are
usually digitate or in small series of 3—6, straight and slightly deflexed ; upwards
the rhachis becomes obsoletely angular and towards the apex subterete and at the
same time gradually becomes more powerfully armed with half whorls of very robust
confluent claws; the cirrus is some metres long and extraordinarily robust, 8—9 mm.
in diameter where the leaflets cease, and it is uncommonly powerfully armed with
very sharp blacktipped claws, 8—10 of which are connate by their broad swollen
24 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. elongata.
bases and form nearly complete regularly spaced whorls. Leaflets in distant groups
of 2-4 on each side of the rhachis, narrowly lanceolate, very gradually acuminate
above to a long subulate apex and almost equally narrowing to the base; all are
on one plane and have a distinct callus with transverse rima in their axillus; are
green above and ashy-grey beneath, especially in recently expanded leaves, less
distinetly so with age; the mid-costa and the marginant nerves are raised and
almost equally : robust on the upper surface; the secondary nerves slender;
transverse veinlets obsolete; the margins smooth or occasionally very minutely
(and deciduously ?) spinuloug. The intermediate leaflets of the adult plant are
50—65 cm. long; 3—4 cm. wide; but apparently the size of the leaflets
varies with the age of the plant and with the level at which the leaves are
inserted along the stem; for one reason or another in some specimens the
leaflets appear smaller and relatively broader than described aboye; the lowermost
leaflets are usually smaller and narrower than the intermediate. The inflorescence
is terminal, on' the whole very large and composed of several spadices springing
fron the axils of the uppermost leaves. The male and female spadices are
produced on distinct plants; they are however very similar in general character.
The partial inflorescences are 1—2 m. long, recurved and composed of several
pendulous spikes, each issuing from the axilla of a spathe; the lowest spathe \is
infundibuliform, 15 cm. long (in one specimen), cottony-tomentose, slightly flattened,
2-horned or produced above on each side into a broad triangular incurved
point; the succeeding spathes are shorter, also infundibuliform, but obliquely
truncate at the mouth and produced only at one side into a broad triangular
acuminate point; the spikes when still young have the appearance of long terete
scaly tails with approximate closely inbricate spathels. The male spikes during
the anthesis are 75—90 cm. long; have a terete slender axis 3—4 mm. in
diameter, rendered scabrid by hard, short, branched, rusty hairs, ‘and bear
alternately and distichally .very numerous bracts (spathels) which at first overlap
each other and are imbricate in their basal parts, but spread or gape during the
anthesis, and are spaced 1 cm., that is, on a portion of the axis of the spike
10. cm. in length are attached 5 spathels on each side; the spathels are concave,
very broadly ovate or more or less rhomboidal in general outline, have the apex
acute and taper below to a narrow base; from about the middle upwards are
broadly triangular, are 4°5—6°5 em., long, and about as broad or less, thinly
coriaceous, reddish brown in the dry condition, very finely striately veined, glabrous
in their basal part, and more or less sprinkled with appressed hyaline scales
above; generally the place of separation between the lower broadest part and the
triangular point is marked on each side by an acute angle or a small tooth,
very distinct in the lower and intermediate spathels, but obsolete in the upper
ones; spikelets 4—5 cm., long, with a slender zig-zag sinuous hairy scabrid axis,
alternately and distichally indented, and bearing at each indentation or notch two,
collateral flowers; the pairs of flowers are 5—9 ‘on each side of the axis, the
lowest pairs being shortly pedicellate, all the others sessile and suffulted by a
small subulate bract ; moreover, each flower has its own, although inconspicuous
bracteole. Male flowers trigonous, sinuous-lanceolate, slightly asymmetrical, acuminate,
10—11 mm. long, 4—5 mm. broad, the calyx broadly campanulate, 3 mm. high,
shortly 3-toothed, villose on the margin, the teeth subulate; ‘the corolla is
P. elongata. PLECTOCOMIA. 25
nearly 4 times as long as the calyx, parted nearly to the base into 3 broadly
lanceolate-sigmoid or at times nearly elongate-rhomboidal, acuminate, thinly
coriaceous segments; stamens 6, erect on the short solid base or torus of the
corolla; filaments having a thick bulbous base suddenly finely subulate ; anthers
linear, 5 mm. long, sifuous, obtuse at both ends, erect, inserted on the dorsum
below the middle, reaching with their apices above midway of the petals; their
cells parallel, disjointed below the middle; rudimentary ovary represented by 3 -
very small linear papille. Female spikes very ‘similar to the male, but. more
robust and with slightly larger and more rigid spathels. Spikelets composed of
only 3—5 flowers; each flower is suffulted by a short trigonous, rusty scabrid
pedicel, 3—4 mm. long, and is provided with a triangular subulate bract, 2—3 mm.
long. Female flowers much larger than the males; the calyx coriaceous, ovoid-
campanulate, tapering slightly to the base, 7—8 mm. broad, and about as long, broadly
3-toothed, the teeth triangular acute, the entire margin covered with dense
rufous villosity, deciduous in age, the surface obsoletely minutely punctulate,
otherwise smooth or not distinctly veined; the corolla twice as long as the calyx,
its base only entire and lining the lower part of the calyx, otherwise parted into
three hard cartilaginous segments, suddenly becoming linear-lanceolate and
acuminate from a broad triangular base; the stamens form with their expanded
connate bases a shallow m2mbranous cup, adhering to the base of the corolla, and
divided into 6 triangular teeth, having subulate apices, and carrying sterile anthers ;
the latter linear or very slightly sagittate and with their apices reaching to midway
of the segments of the corolla. The ovary is globose and very densely covered
by the hairy tips of the scales; stigmas sessile or distinet even from. the base,
elongate, sinuous, subterete, protruding considerably beyond the corolla: even . before
the anthesis. Fruits 1—3 at each spathel, globular, when quite mature 25—28 mm.
in diameter, bearing on the round top the remains of the bases of the stigmas,
but not beaked, very densely villous from the long, narrow, upturned or spread-
ing rufous membranous finely laciniate-fimbriate tips of the scale ; the scales are
arranged in very numerous series, are dark chestnut brown, polished, slightly
convex and narrowly grooved along the centre. Seed usually solitary, globular-
depressed, about 15 mm. in diameter. The fruiting perianth is not accrescent, but
the calyx narrows, a little at the base and forms a short obconical pedicel to the
fruit. |
Hasirat.—The typical plant is indigenous to Java, but apparently with un-
changed characters it grows also in Sumatra. In Java it is encountered in
the damp virgin forests of the volcanic mountains of Bantam, where it is known
to the natives by the names of ‘“ Bubuai,” “Buai” or “ Buan” (Miquel) In the
Residency of Preanger at Tijbodas (Boerlage in Herb. Becc.—male specimen); at
Palabuanratu (Koorders Nos. 34575B, 34587B, 3166B); on Mt. Salak (Heyne No. 52
in Buitenzorg and Beccari Herbaria); on. the mountains, without special locality, at
1200 m. elevation (Zollinger No. 1380 in Herb. de Candolle with female flowers) ;
in the Residency of Semarang at Ungaran Telomajo (Koorders No. 35993 in
Buitenzorg Herbariums—pecimen with mature fruits).
From Sumatra I have seen only very incomplete specimens. One with male
flowers collected by Dr. C. D. Quwchoud in July 1897 at Toba, 1350 m. alt. in
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
26 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, UALCUTTA. P. elongata.
the Battaksland in West Sumatra (No. 390. Buitenzorg Herbarium) .seems to agree
quite well with the Javan plant. The specimen collected by Teijsmann at Paya
Kombo in West Sumatra (No. 2034 Buitenzorg Herbarium) upon which Miquel
established his P. sumatrana has the spikes so young that the flowers are not yet
visible; but I am unable to distinguish them from the spikes of the Javan specimens.
of the same age.
OnsERvATIONS.— The ediagnostic notes of P. elongata, are: leaves with leaflets in
groups of 2—3. green above, whitish beneath; male spadix with spathels deeply
concave, obovoid-rhomboidal, acute, about as long as broad, glabrous in their basal
part, more or less sprinkled with appressed hyaline scales above, the axial part of
the spike, of the spikelets and the pedicels of the flowers scabrid ; the male flowers
9—11 mm. long with very small bracteoles and tomentose margin to the calyx;
the female flowers 3—4 at most at each spathel, shortly pedicelled and with very small
bracteoles ; the fruiting perianth broadly obconical subpedicilliform ; the fruit woolly.
globose, 25—28 mm. in diameter, terminated by the small remains of the sessile
stigmas but hot beaked ; the scales narrowly grooved along the centre, prolonged
into a long enon laciniate-fimbriate upturned or spreading point; the seed
globular-depressed, about 15 mm. in diameter.
I have described the male spadix from Boerlage's specimen collected at Tij-
bodas, and the female one from Zollinger’s specimen. The leaflets are very vari-
able in size. In Boerlage's specimen they are 44 cm. long, 4 em. wide, and have
the margins. and especially the apex minutely spinulous ; the same character is.
present in all the specimens collected by Koorders, in which however the leaflets are
broader, distinctly lanceolate or elliptical-lanceolate, 40—45 cm. long, 5—7 cm. broad;
all are distinetly mealy beneath; but in a young leaf of Heyne's No. 52 from Salak
the leafiets have quite ESA margins as have those that are united to the
fruiting specimens from a plant cultivated in the Botanic. Garden. of. Calcutta,- dis-
tributed under the name of P. assamica, gathered 14th March 1891, but which I
confidently refer to P. elongata. In these specimens some of the fruits contain
2—3 seeds, and have a slightly 2—3 lobed shape; the pericarp on the whole is
about 1 mm. thick and has the cavity glossy, neatly marked by 3 fine raised lines.
corresponding to the absorbed dissepiments. ©
PLate 13.— Plectocomia elongata Mart. & Bl.—An entire male spike ; portion
of the upper part of the rhachis; one leaflet. From Boerlage's specimen in Herb.
Beccari.
PLate 14.—Plectocomia elongata Mart. & Bl—An entire spike with nearly
mature fruits; the base of a leaf; intermediate portion of the rhachis with two.
leaflets; detached fruits, one opened with two seeds; from the Calcutta cultivated
specimen of 14th March 1891. One spathel with its female spikelet and detached
female flowers ; from Zollinger's No. 1380. (
PLecrocomia ELONGATA BI. var. BANGKANA Becc.
DEscRIPTION.—A pparently smaller than the Javan plant. Leaves also with
smaller leaflets, distinetly greyish or subochraceous-pulverulent beneath, lanceolate: '
P. griffithii. PLECTOCOMIA. 97
or suboblanceolate, acuminate, 30—33 cm. long, 4'5—5 em. broad, the margins quite
smooth. Male spikes 70 cm. long, compound (occasionally ?), viz., produeing frequently
Secondary spikelets at the axillas of some spathels; the latter obovoid rhomboidal as
in type, but somewhat smaller, the largest 5 cm. long, 3 em. wide, the secondary
spikes 6—7 cm. long at most, bearing.on each side 6—8 small spathels but of
the same shape as ihe others; the primary Spikelets are about 2—2°5 em. long
and have 4—5 pairs of flowers on each side; the secondary spikelets are very few
flowered. Male flowers 7—8 mm. long, 3 mm. broad; anthers linear, 2°5 mm.
jong, reaching about midway of the petals. Female sptkes also as in type, but
with smaller spathels. The female flowers distinctly pedicellate, 5 at each spathel,
slightly smaller than in type and having the calyx more attenuate to the base and
faintly striately veined outside. The mature fruit not seen by me, probably smaller
than in type.
Hapitat.—The Island of Bangka at Baturuak (Kurz in Herb. Cale.) ; collected
also with immature fruit. by Tedjsmann in Oct. 1872 (Herb. Bogor.) Malay name
"Bebuwar". The male plant introduced from Bangka is cultivated in the Botanic
Garden at Buitenzorg.
OBsERVATIONS.—Apparently. it forms the link with P. Grifithii Becc. The male
flowers of the plant- cultivated at Buitenzorg have anthers considerably smaller
than those of the flowers of the Javan plant (Z5 mm. instead of 5 mm.)
PLATE 15.—Plectocomia elongata var. bangkana Becc.—Branch of the male
inflorescence, with spikes bearing secondary spikelets ; upper portion of a leaf from
the specimen cultivated at Buitenzorg introduced from Bangka. Portion of the spike
with immature fruits collected by Teijsmann in October 1872,
2. PLecrocomia GmirrrrHE Bece. in Hook., f. Fl. Brit. India, vi, 478; Ridley,
Mat. Fl. Mal.. Penins. ii, 220; Rendle in Journ. of Bot. 1897,
13.
P. elongata. (uot of Mart. or Bl.) Grifl in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. V,
96 ; Palms Brn.: Ind. 104, t. S17 AUR. "
DescrIPTION.—Sterm, leaves, leaf-sheaths, petioles and cirrus as in P. elongata, of
the same large dimensions and equally spiny. Leaflets usually in groups, of 2—4 on
each side of the rhachis, paler or whitish beneath. Male and female spadix on the
whole also as in P. elongata, but apparently the male spikes have slightly smaller
spathels. Female spikes can also be described with the same words as for
P. elongata, concave, subrhomboidal, acute, the largest 5—6°5 em. long and somewhat
less wide, often marked with an aeute tooth about midway of the sides, dividing ,
the upper triangular part from the lower, and sprinkled with small applied &cales.
The main axis, and the pedicels ‘of the flowers are scabrid and rusty. The
female spikelets are composed of 5—9 more or less distinetly pedicellate flowers ;
bracts very small. Female flowers not differing from those of P. elongata; the calyx
coriaceous, ovoid-campanulate, slightly tapering to the base, 7 mm. wide and about
as long, the margin villous, broadly and not deeply 3-toothed, the teeth acute ;
ANN. Roy. Bor. GaRD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
. 98 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. griffithii.
corolla twice as long as the calyx, smooth or slightly striately ‘veined ; stamens
having sterile linear slightly sagittate anthers, reaching with their apices to
midway of the segments of the corolla. Fruits 3—5 at each spathel, globular, when
quite mature 15—16 mm. in diameter, bearing on their tops the remains of the
bases of the stigmas, but not beaked, very densely villous from the long
narrow. spreading or upturned, rufous, membranous, finely laciniate-fimbriate tips of
the scales; the latter are arranged in very numerous series, are dark chestnut-
brown, polished and slightly depressed along the centre. Seed globular-depressed,
11 mm. long. 9 mm. broad, 75 mm. thick. Fruiting esie broadly obeonical,
narrowing a little to a subpedicelliform base.
Hairar.—The Malay Peninsula and Singapore. The specimens figured by
Griffith were obtained from the forests near the sea-shore at Kundur near Malacca.
In the district of Perak (Scortechini in Herb. Becc.); Penang Hill at 600 m. elev.
(Ridley No. 7098 in Herb. Cale.). In Singapore (collected in 1878 by F. Keheding— .
Herb. Becc.); Bukit Mandai (Ridley No. 3470 in Herb. Perak); from Singapore
Ridley gives also the following numbers which I have not seen: No. 3487—Garden
Jungle; No. 1665—Koranji Selitar. He quotes also the locality of Mt. Ophir at
1.000 m. elev., and Gunong Kelendang in Perak.
OssERvATIONS.— P. Griffith is very closely related to P. elongata Bl., and may be
considered as a geographieal or representative species of the latter. It differs from
P. elongata in having the female spikelets composed of more numerous flowers (5—9
instead of 3—4), and in the smaller fruit (15—16 mm., instead of 25—28 mm. in
diameter) and smaller and apparently more flattened seed. Probably also it differs
from P. elongata in having the male spikes with smaller spathels, smaller male
spikelets, and fewer flowers with shorter anthers. I have not however seen male
spadices which could be referred with certainty to JP. Griffith; probably however
some specimens belong . to it which Mr. Ridley forwarded to me, I do not know if
gathered from wild growing plants in the primitive Garden jungle, or from cultivated
individuals (they bear the date March 1905). In these specimens the leaflets are
narrowly lanceolate, 55—65 cm. long, 5 em. wide, greyish beneath, in the lower part
of the rhachis in alternate groups of 3—4; several of the lowest leaflets are furnished
on the upper margin and at times also on the lower with one or occasionally
two robust conspicuous spines. The male spikes are 70—75 cm. long, have the
main axis slender (2 mm. in diameter) and the spathels smaller than in the specimens
of P. elongata from Java, are 3—3'5 cm. long, 2—45 cm. wide, and more
closely set tlian in the latter, the spathels being seven in number (instead of 5)
attached to ‘each side of the main axis for the space of 10 cm. The spikelets
are 20—25 mm. long, have a very slender axis and carry 5—6 pairs of sessile
flowers. The flowers are 9 mm. long and 4 mm. broad, have the anthers linear,
3—35 mm. long reaching with their apices about midway of the spathels.
PLare 16.—Plectocomia Griffithii Becc.—AÀn entire spike with immature fruits
and portion , of a leaf from near base from Penang Hill (Ridley's No. 7098 in Herb.
Caleutta). The upper part of a spike with thoroughly mature fruits and one seed;
from. Keheding's specimen ‘collected in Singapore.
LI
P. macrostachya. PLECTOCOMIA. 29
PLate 17.—Plectocomia Griffithii Bece.—Branch of a male inflorescence, supposed
to belong to that species; spathel with its male spikelet; detached male spikelet ;
portion of a leaf from near its base: observe the spine near the base of the
leaflets. From Ridley’s specimen gathered March 1903.
3. PLECTOCOMIA MACROsTACHYA Kurz, Enum. Burm. Palms in Jour. Asiat. Soc.
Bengal, xiii, pt. II (1874), 207, t. xvi, xvii: For. FI. Brit. Burma ii,
514; Hook. fl. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 478; Brandis, Indian Trees, 650;
Gamble, Man. Ind. Timb. 2nd ed. 737.
Drscriprion.—A large and lofty climber (Kurz). Leaves with alternate groups of
2—3 leaflets on each side of the rhachis; the rhachis in a portion above the middle
is very obsoletely angular and minutely scabrid when seen under a lens. The
intermediate leaflets of the adult plant are lanceolate or narrowly elliptical-lanceo-
late, equally tapering to both ends, the broadest part being about their middle, and
gradually acuminate above; are 60 cm. long, 6—6'5 cm. wide, conspicuously dis-
colorous or white beneath, have a robust mid-costa and ‘an equally strong primary
nerve running along the margins; secondary nerves very fine, 8—9 on each side of
the mid-costa, regularly spaced ; transverse veinlets obsolete; the male spikes are
described by Kurz, 4—5 ft. long (1°2—1°5 m.); in the portions seen by me they
are somewhat flattened and about 6 cm. thick; the spathes are closely imbricate
and on a portion of spike 20 cm. in length, I counted 7 spathels on each side; the
‘ Spathels are very rigid, coriaceous, of a dull chestnut brown colour, darker or
blackish near the edges, very finely striately-vemed, glabrous in their basal part,
slightly scaly-furfuraceous above, concave, rhomboidal-obovate, the largest 7 cm.
long, 5cm. wide, often with an angle or tooth about the middle of the sides separat-
ing the upper triangular acute point from the lower basal part. The main axis of
the spikes is 4—5 mm. in diameter, slightly scabrid-furfuraceous, at times almost
smooth. Spikelets 4—5 cm. long, their axis. scabrid-furfuraceous, slender, carrying
usually 6 pairs of flowers on each side, the lowermost of which are supported by
pedicels 2—4 mm. long; the bracteoles are very small. Male flowers 12—15 mm.
long, 4—5 mm. broad, sinuous-lanceolate, very acuminate, trigoncus; the calyx broadly
campanulate-3 mm. high, shortly 3-toothed, the margin villose, the teeth subulate ;
the corolla 5 times as long as the calyx, its segments cartilaginous-coriaceous,
lanceolate, undulate, acuminate ; stamens with filaments connate by their thickened
bases, suddenly subulate; anthers linear, 4 mm. long; rudimentary ovary very minute,
represented by 3 linear papille. Female spadix and fruit not seen by me.
Hasirat.—Lower Burma on the Bithoko Range, between the Yunzalin and the
Salween at the Great Rapids, at 1,000 m. (Brandis No. 539 in Herb. Cale.) Pro-
bably not uncommon elsewhere in Lower Burma { Brandis). !
OssERvATIONS.— Very imperfectly known. No doubt allied to P. elongata Bl. and
P. Grifithii Becc., but with larger male spikes and flowers; the male spikes of
P. macrostachya being even larger and having larger and more coriaceous spathels
than. the female spikes of P. elongata; further the male flowers are more dis-
tinctly pedicellate in P. macrostachya than in P. elongata.
30 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. muellerù.
I have seen of this species, probably the largest of the known species, only
a portion of a leaf and two fragments of a male spike.
Sir Dietrich Brandis, the discoverer of the species, writes (uus EA
lofty climber, internodes short, leaves 10, flagellum 2 feet long, leaflets approximate
in pairs or in threes, white farinose beneath, lanceolate, 8—24 by 14—3 inch, midrib
and two longitudinal nerves close under the edge very stout, sheath and «hachis
with straight slender spines up to $ in. long, in groups of 2 or 3 or in half
whorls, appendage of scales stiff linear. Branches of male spadix 4—5 ft. long,
pendulous, closely covered with broadly obovate distichous imbricating spathels,
brown with black border, in the axils of which are the spikelets, shorter than
the bracts with alternate distichous fl. Calyx very shortly 3-toothed, limb woolly
or ciliate, petals rigid, lanceolate mucronate, stamens 6. Fr. 3-1 in diam.”
Prare 18.—Plectocomia macrostachya Kwurz—The entire type specimen in the
Calcutta Herbarium. One half of a spathel showing in its axilla a male spikelet ;
male flowers,
4. PLEcrocomia MveLLERII Blume, Rumphia, iii, 7 t. 159 ; Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 79.
P. rigida H. Wendl. in Bot. Zeit. 1859, 165.
Derscription.—Of the usual general appearance but of rather small size.
Sheathed stem 2—2'5 cm. in diameter. Leaves relatively small; one from the
upper part of the adult plant and 90 cm. long in the pinniferous part has 28 leaflets
on the whole and is terminated by a moderately long cirrus and has the petiole
about 20 em. long and 10 mm. broad at its base; the leaf-sheath is striate and
provided with some slender digitate spines along the dorsum and at the sides of
the mouth. The uppermost leaves or those immediately below the inflorescance
are smaller than those described above, have fewer leaflets, are more briefly
petiolate, and have quite unarmed leaf-sheaths ; whereas the leaves of the lower
part of the stem or of young plants are larger in every part and have the leaf-
sheaths softly tomentose on their lower covered: part, ‘and ‘glabrous on their. ex-
posed parts greenish, closely striate and rather densely armed with slender, feeble,
unequal, pale, acicular spines, the largest of whieh are 10—15 mm. long^and united
by their bases so as to form transversely oblique, frequently interrupted series,
The petiole is convex beneath, slightly concave near the base oh the upper face,
flat in the remainder; the margins are very sharp. The rhachi® is obsoletely
angular, armed with claws, solitary at first and then 2—3-nate, becoming half- —
whorled at very regular distances in the cirrus; petiole and rhachis glabrous or
sprinkled with inconspicuous punctiform scales. Leaflets set in distant alternate,
‘or subopposite groups of 2—4 on each side of ‘the rhachis, lanceolate, elliptical-
lanceolate or oblanceolate, usually narrowing more toward the base than upwards,
are rather suddenly acuminate at apex, not quite explanate, that is slightly inflated
or concave-convex, rather rigid-papyraceous, green on both surfaces, the margins
smooth, thickened by a nerve stronger than the mid-costa ; secondary nerves
relatively strong, 5—7 on each side of the mid-costa. The intermediate leaflets in
leaves of the upper part of the plant 15—20 em. long, 2°5—3°5 cm. wide; the
lower leaflets are slightly, and the upper considerably ` smaller; the leaves
P. muelleriz. PLECTOCOMIA. 31
immediately below the inflorescence have the leaflets still smaller and with the
blade more distinctly swelled out, whereas those of tlie leaves of young plants
attain 25—28 cm. in length and are 3°5—4 cm. in breadth. In young leaves
the transverse veinlets are distinct, connect the secondary nerves, and are not
very close together but in old leaves are obsolete, being submerged in the
parenchyma. Male spikes 60—65 cm. long, inclusive of an arched basal part, which
is furnished at the base with a tubular-infundibular spathe, and with severa]
vacuous infundibuliform-amplectent spathels which gradually pass into those
bearing the spikelets in their axillas; the main axis of the spikes is terete, sinuous
2 mm. in diameter; the spathels are very approximate, being only 6—7 mm. apart,
concave, broadly rhomboidal, 2°5—3 cm. long and of about the same breadth
broadest in their upper third part or a little above, and thence slightly narrowiug
below, and with a wide triangular point above ; they are rigid-papyraceous or thinly
coriaceous, of a dark chestnut-brown colour, finely striate, slightly scaly and
furfuraceous outside. . Spikelets very densely flowered, ovoid, 15—18 mm. long in
the lower part of the spike, smaller above. Male flowers numerous, sessile, very
closely packed, somewhat unequal, furnished with very small bracts, inserted all
round the axis, very small, subtrigonous, narrowly lanceolate, 4—6 mm. long,
1 mm. thick, the lower acute, the upper bluntish ; the calyx trigonous, cyathiform-
eampanulate, 1°5 mm. high, with 3 acute teeth, and glabrous margin; the corolla
about 4 times as long as the calyx, parted nearly to the base into 3 linear-.
lanceolate segments, slightly sigmoid, acute or acuminate, cartilaginous, striate ;
stamens having the filaments united together at their bases, rigid and subulate
in their free upper parts; anthers linear-sagittate ; rudimentary ovary very minute
Female spadiz having shorter and more rigid spikes than the male (35—70 cm.
long); the spathels are also more rigid, at times as much as 4°5 cm. long, and about
as wide and very deeply concave; the main axis subterete, 2—3 mm. in diameter,
slightly furfuraceous ; the internodes about 15 mm. long; spikelets very short, usually
having only 3. pedicellate flowers; the pedicels trigonous, 3—4 mm, long, seabrid-
each furnished with a subulate braet 4—5 mm. long. The whole perianth of the
female flowers 12 mm. long; the broadly obconical calyx has a hard solid. base,
tapers to a narrow trigonous pedicellar part and is rendered slightly scabrid by very
short, rigid, branched rusty hairs, is expanded above into a 3-toothed limb, the teeth
deltoid and acuminate; on the whole the calyx is 8 mm. long; the corolla is one-
third longer than the calyx, has a shallowly cupular base, but otherwise is almost
entirely parted into 3 rigid lanceolate-acuminate segments; the sterile stamens form
with the confluent broadened bases of their filaments a very shallow cup, divided
into 6 deltoid subulate teeth; anthers oblong or linear; ovary globular, clothed
with hairy fringed scales; stigmas elongate-trigonous, subulate, connivent. Fruit
2 cm. in diameter, globular and slightly depressed, often very obsoletely 3-lobed,
especially when young, distinctly beaked from the persistent remnants of the stigmas,
8—10 mm. long and resting on its very short broadly^ conical apex ; scales shining,
dark chestnut-brown, slightly convex, faintly groved along the centre, having eiliate-
fringed margins, and being prolonged into a finely laciniate rufous appressed (not
upturned) tip, giving on the whole a hairy, but not woolly. appearance to the
fruit. The cavity of the crustaceous brittle pericarp is lined with a very thin
membranous endocarp, showing traces of 3 dissepiments and of 3 cells; in one of
32 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. billitonensis.
which and at the base is attached the seed, while in the two others the undeveloped
ovules are visible. The seed is clothed with a fleshy rather abundant integument ;
when divested of this it is globular, somewhat depressed, 12 mm. broad, 9 mm.
high, its surface is nearly even, dull; the chalaza is indistinct. Embryo basal,
slightly on one side.. The fruiting perianth has the calyx split above into 3 ovate
acute lobes, and its base very conspicuously obconical and trigonous, forming a pedicel
to the fruit, which owing to this addition assumes a general turbinate shape.
Hasitat.—Apparently a rather common plant in Borneo. The species was
described by Blume from a male specimen collected by Dr. G. Mueller on Mount
Sakumban in the S.-E. of the Island. In Sarawak (Lobb in Herb. Cale. This was
the male plant described by Wendland as P. rigida); also in Sarawak on Mount
Mattang near Kuching (Bece. P. B. No. 3038) and. on Mount Santubong (Hewitt in
Herb. Kew.-fruit). I have also seen specimens from Dutch Borneo in the Buitenzorg
Herbarium collected by Hallier at Lianggagang (No. 2967 male specimen), on Gunong
Kenepai (No. 1715 in fruit), and on Gunong Klam (No. 2358 with very young
- fruits).
OssERvATIONSs.— Somewhat variable in the size of the spadices, but especially in
regard to the leaves, aecording to the age of the plant from which the specimens
are gathered. In my Sarawak specimens (P. B. No. 3038) the leaflets of the adult
fertile plant are small, 12—16 cm. long, 2:5—3'5 cm. wide. In a leaf of Hallier's.
No. 2967, apparently belonging to a not as yet fertile plant, some of the leaflets are
25—28 em. by 3:51—4 em. One-leaf in Hallier's No. 1715. has larger and more
acuminate leaflets than all the foregoing, being 52—55 by 6 cm.
P. Mueller is distinguishable by its small size; by the leaves with not numerous
leaflets in groups of 2—4 on each side of the rhachis, green and glabrous on both
surfaces; by the spikes with very approximate broadly rhomboidal spathels, very
concave, about as long as broad, slightly scaly outside; by the numerous male flowers
very densely packed into ovate sessile spikelets, very small and slender, having
cyathiform trigonous glabrous calyces; by the female flowers having an obconical calyx
with hard solid base, prolonged into a narrow pedicel; by the fruit globular, slightly `
depressed, distinctly beaked, of a hairy but not woolly appearance, supported by the
obeonie fruiting perianth, which contributes to give the entire fruit a turbinate shape ;
by the scales wiih fimbriate-hairy tips, appressed and not upturned; by the globular-
depressed, even-surfaced seed.
PLate 19.—Plectocomia Muellerii Bl.—Portion of the sheathed stem; an inter-
mediate portion of a leaf; a branch of the male inflorescence with an entire spike ;
a spikelet of male flowers. From Hallier’s No. 2967.
\ s
Pirate 20.—Plectocomia Muellerii Bl.—The large spike with mature fruits from
Hewitt’s specimen (Herb. Kew.); the upper part of a plant with a spike and a leaf
from Beccari P. B. No. 3038. |
5. PrECcTOCOMIA BILLITONENSIS Becc. sp. n.
Description.—Sheathed stem of the upper flowering part of the plant nearly 4
em. in diameter. One leaf, from a young plant, has the leaf-sheath softly tomentose
in the lower covered part, and thinly, apparently fugaciously, rusty-furfuraceous in
P. billitonensis. PLECTOCOMIA. 33
that exposed, and is armed with brown, needle-like, unequal, 5—15 mm. long spines,
confluent by their bases and digitate or forming short radiating series; the. petiole
in that leaf is 30 em. long, wide channelled above, armed in its lower part with
the same kind of spines as the sbeath, but larger and stronger; the rhachis is
subterete and like the petiole is clothed with a soft, rather dense, tobacco-coloured
indumentum, partly detachable, and along the dorsum has a line of single claws
which become 2-3-nate above ; the pinniferous part is 1°20 m. long; the leaflets are
covered below with a thin coating of rusty scurf, apparently deciduous with age;
are about 40 in all, the lower and uppermost solitary, the others approximate in
distant groups of 2—4 on each side of the rhachis; are very narrowly lanceolate ;
gradually taper above to a slightly asymmetrical acuminate point, the lower margin
of which terminates 2—3 em. below the tip in a small spinule, at times however
obsolete ; otherwise the margins are smooth and slightly thickened ; the intermediate
leaflets, the largest, are 35—40 cm. long, 3 cm. wide. One of the uppermest leaves
bearing at its axilla a branch of the inflorescence, is rather large, has the leaf-sheath
slightly spinous on the dorsum and on the margins near the mouth; the petiolar
part is 10 em. long, and 2 em. wide, the rhachis is robust and in the intermediate
portion obsoletely angular, powerfully armed with 3—5-nate claws; the leaflets are
very unequidistant, and scattered, not very distinctly grouped, very elongate,
ensiform, very gradually acuminate to a very finely subulate tip; are thickly
papyraceous. though, green above, rather more or less distinctly rusty-furfuraceous
beneath; the margins smooth, thickened, the secondary nerves rather prominent ; the
intermediate leaflets are 50—55 cm. long, 2 cm. wide, the lower are narrower.
Male spadix . . . . Female spadix as usual composed of several branches or
partial inflorescences each issuing from the axilla of a leaf gradually reduced, one
partial inflorescence, apparently one of the lowest, is composed of 5 very approximate
spikes, recurved and pendulous; the spikes have a very short peduncular part,
sheathed by some empty spathels and are 60—70 cm. long; their main axis is
terete, 5 mm. thick, smooth, very slightly furfuraceous; spathels 15 mm. apart,
very concave, broadly rhomboidal, bluntish, 2 cm. long and as wide, broadest
about their middle or a little above that; their upper half widely triangular.
frequently sharply defined by a' projecting tooth on the margin at both sides,
thinly coriacious, very Yigid, of a very dark chestnut-brown colour, finely striate,
quite glabrous, otherwise very similar to those of Pl. Mueller. Spikelets very short,
bearing only 3—4 pedicellate flowers; the pedicels trigonous, slender, 3—4 mm.
long, glabrous; every flower is furnished with a subulate bract, 3—4 mm. long.
Female flowers 1 cm. long (not taking into account the protruding stigmas); the
calyx has a solid, very narrow, trigonus, glabrous, 4 mm. long, pedicelliform basal
part and is suddenly expanded ‘above into a limb, parted into 3 ovate, finely striate
apieulate lobes; the corolla, slightly longer than the calyx, has.a shallow cupular
base, but otherwise is almost entirely parted into 3 rigid, triangular-lanceolate
acuminate segments; the sterile stamens form with the confluent broadened bases
of the filaments a very shallow cup. lining the undivided part of the corolla, and
divided into 6 deltoid, suddenly long-subulate teeth, bearing oblong or linear
anthers; ovary globular-ovoid, soon becoming broadly turbinate and obsoletely
trilobed, covered with scales having a fimbriate-laciniate tip; the stigmas trigonous,
subulate, 6 mm. long. Fruit
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, Vor. XII.
\
‘
34 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL “BOTANIC “GARDEN, CALCUTTA. - P. elmerit-
HanrrAr.— The Island of Billiton in the Sunda Archipelago, recently discovered
by Dr. Heine (No. 2425 bis fertile specimen and No. 3 sterile ‘specimen in Herb.
Bogor. and Beccari).
Osservations.—It diflers from P. Mueller, which it greatly resembles, in
being a more robust plant, with larger leaves and with more numerous leaflets,
narrowly lanceolate and‘ very long acuminate, more or less distinctly rusty-
furfuraceous beneath, especially in the leaves of young plants, the leaflets of which
have also an asymmetrical apex. The female spadix is very similar to that of
P. Mueller, but the spathels are more distinctly rhomboidal, quite glabrous, and
the flowers are smaller. with the calyx having the limb very suddenly expanded
from a very narrow pedicelliform smooth base, and deeply divided into 3 ovate
parts, even before the anthesis. In P. Mueller the calyx has at the time of
flowering a cup-shaped 3-toothed not split limb, and the corolla slightly longer than
the calyx.
PrarE 21.—Plectocomia billitonensis Becc:—An entire female partial inflorescence
with growing ovaries, and intermediate portion of a leaf; from Heine's No. 2425 bis.
Detached leaflet from a young plant (Heine No. 3).
Lari Driaenosis.—Plectocomia billitonensis Bece. sp. nov. Frondium segmentis
inaequidistantibus anguste lanceolatis et longe acuminatis, junioribus subtus indumento
tenuissimo rubiginoso indutis; spicarum spathellis rhombeis, glabris; floris foeminei
calyce parte pedicellari gracili brevi statim in limbum tripartitum expansa, pradito,
limbi segmentis ovatis apiculatis ; corolle segmentis acuminatis calycem paullo
superantibus.
6. PrEcrocowiA ELmeRII Bece. sp. n.
Description.—One of the largest species. Sheathed stem about JU em. m diameter.
(Elmer) Leaves very large; rhachis near the base (the only part seen by me) about
3 cm. broad, finely softly grey tomentose, flattish above, slightly convex below and
clawed along the middle, the sides for the insertion of the leaflets flat, 6 mm. wide.
Leaflets in groups, those of the portion just mentioned 55—62 em. long, 35—42 mm.
wide, lanceolate-ensiform, very , gradually acuminate above to a rather rigid, very
slightly asymmetrical point, the lower margin remaining 3—4 em. shorter than the
upper; in the herbarium specimens the upper surface is green and the lower red-
dish brown but quite destitute of any kind of indumentum: the margins are
distinctly thickened and occasionally provided at very long intervals with a few very
small spinules ; secondary nerves barely distinguishable from very numerous tertiary
ones and giving on the whole a finely striate appearance to both surfaces. Male
pikes ...... Female spikes have spathels very similar to those of P. Muellerii and
R. billitonensis, but larger; one spike is 70 cm. long, inclusive of an arched basal
part ; its main axis sinuous, subterete, 5 mm. thick, furfuraceous (not scabrid). its
internodes 12 mm. long; spathels very concave, broadly rhomboidal, bluntish, 3:5—4
em. long. and nearly as wide, broadest about their middle or a little above it, the
upper half part widely triangular, frequently sharply defined by a projecting tooth
on the margin on both sides, thinly coriaceous and very rigid, of a very dark
chestnut brown colour, finely striate, quite glabrous. Spikelets formed by 5-6 flowers,
P. elmerii: PLECTOCOMIA. 35
borne on very short furfuraceous pedicels ; every flower furnished with a subulate
bract 4—6 mm. long. Female flowers 18—20 mm. long (not taking into account the
protruding stigmas); the calyx has a solid, very narrow, tapering trigonous, glabrous,
8—10 mm. long, pedicelliform part, and. is suddenly expanded above into a limb
parted into 3 ovate apiculate lobes; the corolla slightly longer than the calyx, has a
shallow eupular base, and is otherwise almost entirely parted into 3 rigid triangular-
lanceolate, acuminate segments: the sterile stamens form with the confluent broadened
bases of the filaments a shallow cup divided into 6 deltoid, suddenly long-subulate
teeth, bearing oblong or linear anthers; ovary globular-ovoid, strigose ; stigmas
trigonous, subulate, 7 mm. long. Fruit globose, slightly depressed, 25—27 mm. in
diameter, very shortly mammillate and also beaked with the remains of the stigmas
and of a general glabrous appearance. The pericarp is very thin and brittle; the
scales are shiny, of a dirty straw colour with darker margins and tips, sharply
and narrowly grooved along the centre, the tip somewhat produced, and like the
margins, minutely ciliate-fringed. Seed globular, somewhat depressed, 15 mm. high,
19—22 mm. broad in one direction, and a few mm. less in the other; the integument
is very scanty, thin and adherent to the nucleus, the surface of which is obsoletely
marked by bold ridges, divided by shallow vertical furrows descending from the
punctiform apical chalaza; embryo basal.
Hamrrar.—The Island of Mindanao. Discovered by A. D. Elmer in Sept. 1909
at Todaya (Mt. Apo), District of Davao at about 1000 m. elev. ( Elmer No. 11877
in Herb. Bece. ).
OBsERVATIONS.—Evidently allied to P. Muellerii and P. billitonensis, but doubtless
distinet, especially by its larger flowers having an extraordinarily long pedicelliform
calyx, and by the larger non-hairy fruits. Its diagnostic notes are: The general large
size of the plant ; ihe leaf-rhachis finely grey tomentose ; the leaflets in groups
destitute of any kind of indumentum underneath ; the female spadix with broadly
rhomboidal glabrous spathels and smooth, slightly furfuraceous main axis; the female
spikelets composed of 4—5 relatively large flowers, having the calyx tapering to a long
trigonous narrow base, and expanded above into a 3-parted limb ; the corolla slightly
longer than the calyx; the ovary strigose; the fruit large, globular depressed, very
shortly mammillate and supported by a conspicuous pedicelliform perianth ; the scales
sharply grooved, not fimbriate ; the large seed, globular depressed, uneven.
I reproduce here Merrill’s field note, which gives additional information about
this fine Palm, not obtainable from the herbarium specimens at my disposal :
"Large tree climber in jungles of dense woods on a ridge or along streamlets
at 3,000 feet on the Talon side of the mountain range; old stem yellowish-green
or, when young, glaucous-green, terete, hard, smooth, rigid, 2 to 3 inches thick at
least; the leaf bearing portion 4 inches thick at least ; leaves alternatingly scattered,
every. foot or so, ascendingly recurved, 12 feet long, terminated by at least 7 feet
long. hooked rhachis; petiole 2 feet long, glaucous-green along the smooth under-
side, widely grooved on the upper, provided with yellowish spines along the edges ;
leaflets in groups, twisted and ascending from . the yellowish bases, strongly
recurved, similarly deep green on both sides, tough, not rigid; rhachis grooved
along the upper side; convex beneath, hooked its full length, otherwise smooth ;
ANN. Hox. Bor. GARD, CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
36 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. himalayana.
sheaths glaucous-green, smooth, except the margins of the V-shaped slit sheath
or stipule; infrutescence terminal, smooth, 10 feet long, the lower branches arising
from the uppermost smaller leaf-stalks, 3 feet long. few branched and ascending
from near. the base; the branchlets pendulous, evenly provided with bracts and
fruits ; fruits flattish-globose 1 inch across." :
Native name ‘ Ungang."
PLatE 22.—Plectocomia Elmerii Bece.—An entire female spike, and the end of
another with flowers; two fruits, and one seed; portion of a leaf from near the
base. Elmer’s specimen No. 11877 in Herb. Beccari.
LariN pIAGNosis.—Plectocomia Elmerii Becc sp. nov.
Grandis, caudice vaginato 10 em. diam.; frondium segmentis per greges approxi-
matis, utrinque glabris et virentibus ; spicarum foeminearum spathis rhombeis, glabris ;
floribus foemineis majuseulis ; calyce parte pedicellari trigona-elongata, basi sensim
attenuata, praedito, limbo 3-partito, segmentis acuminatis longitudinem corolla fere
aequantibus ; fructibus globoso-subdepressis, breviter mammillatis, glabris, squamis
nitidis in medio distincte sulcatis et in margine ciliolatis ; semine globoso-depresso,
superficie inaequali.
7. PLecrocoMIA HIMALAYANA Griff in Cale. Journ, Nat. Hist. v, 100: Palms
Brit, Ind.: 108, 01.218; Mart. Hist.: Nat. Palm. ii, 129 T. Anders
in Journ. Linn. Soc. xi, 12; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 478; Brandis,
Ind. Trees, 619; Gamble, Man. Ind. Timb. 2nd ed. 737: Darj.
List, 87. |
P. montana Hook. f. & Thoms. Herb. Ind. Orient.
/
Descriprion.—A very large and high climbing gregarious. palm. ^ Seathed stem
of the flowering end as thick as a man's arm; the naked canes as much as 4
em. in diameter, with internodes about 30 cm. in length. Leaves large, those of
the adult flowering plant 2—2°5 m. long in the pinniferous part, and terminated
by a long powerfully clawed cirrus; the petiolar part almost reduced to nothing,
the lowest leaflets being attached just at the mouth of the leaf-sheaths, which
are thickly coriaceous or almost woody and provided with obliquely encircling
transverse, approximate, interrupted, sinuous, raised ridges, minutely muricate on
their crest; in younger leaves the leaf-sheaths gradually pass into a more or less
elongate petiole, are finely covered with soft greyish down, are coarsely and closely
striate, and have the encircling elevated ridges very regularly crested with pectinate,
feeble, brownish, needle-like spines, 15—20 mm. leng.. The rhachis of the upper
leaves of the adult plant is 2 cm. broad at its base, flattish on the upper surface ;
the sides where the leaflets are inserted are rounded; higher up, the rhachis is
biconvex, and from the middle upwards it is armed beneath with, at first,
solitary, then with 2—3-nate robust claws, becoming half whorled at regular distances
in the cirrus; in leaves of young plants the rhachis is puberulous and armed
beneath with claws having a longer tip than usual; the cirrus is slender and
P. himalayana. PLECTOCOMIA. 37
also armed with long-pointed claws. Leaflets are very unequidistant, usually in
distant pairs or threes on each side of the rhachis (the groups often opposite) ;
are narrowly long-lanceolate, gradually tapering below to an acute base, at times
flattened and subansate, and narrowing above to a very acuminate filiform tip,
very long and slender in leaves of young plants; are thinly papyraceous, quite
glabrous, and almost equally green on both surfaces; have a slender mid-costa
and on each side of this 2—3 almost equally strong secondary nerves, so as to
give to the blade the appearance of being pluricostulate; the margins are not
thickened, but distinctly —ciliate-spinulous ; the lower and intermediate leaflets
are 35—50 cm. long, 3:5—4 cm. wide, the upper ones gradually smaller. The
entire inflorescence is terminal, pyramidate, in a female plant seen by me
more than two meters high, composed of several gradually decreasing partial
inflorescences, each issuing erect from the axil of a gradually reduced leaf ; are
soon arching and bearing one above the other several pendulous spikes. Boathes
of the main branches tubular-infundibuliform, tomentose in their lower part,
obliquely truncate at the mouth, and produced at one side into a triangular
acuminate point. Male spikes 60—80 cm. long; their main axis very slender,
sinuous, terete, finely tomentose, its internodes 15 mm. long; spathels papyraceous,
finely pubescent outside, especially in their basal part, oblong-obcuneate, triangular
in their upper third or fourth part, acute or acuminate, 4—5°5 em. long, 2 cm.
wide. Spikelets about half às long as the spathels, their axis slender, angular,
fulvous-tomentose ; flower-bracts very minute, subulate. Male flowers geminate on
notches of the axis of the spikelets, lanceolate, acuminate, 7—8 mm. long; the
ealyx shallow, eupular, trigonous, or with '3 triangular subulate teeth, the margin
glabrous ; petals several times longer ‘than the calyx, lanceolate with acuminate
wavy points; stamens having subulate filaments with thickened bases; anthers
broadly linear, slightly sagittate, obtuse, punctulate, 4 mm. long; rudimentary ovary
represented by 3 very small round papille. Female spikes 45—60 em. long,
having a pedicellar part 6—8 cm. long, attached to the bottom of their respective
spathes, and sheathed by only one tubular-infandibuliform non-spikelet-bearing
spathel, quite different from the succeeding spathels, all of which are spicigerous
and identical with those of the male spikes, but of a firmer texture; the main
axis of the spikes slightly sinuous, clothed with a thin soft, adherent, tobacco
coloured tomentum; its internodes 15 mm. long, 3—4 mm. thick, slightly clavate,
flattish on the axial side. Spikelets subscorpioid with 5—9 flowers subunilaterally
biseriate on the deep notches of the axis; floral bracts very small, triangular
subulate. Female flowers about as long as the largest male ones (8—9 mm. long
but considerably broader (6 mm. broad at the base); the calyx very shallowly
cupular, trigonous. 3-toothed, of a scarious texture, the teeth long-acuminate-
subulate; the corola has a very short shallow coneave entire base, but otherwise
is parted into 3 triangular acuminate segments; the sterile stamens form with
the confluent broadened bases of the filaments a very shallow cup, divided into
6 deltoid subulate teeth, bearing conspicuous sagittate anthers; ovary globose,
strigose ; stigmas sessile, trigonous, subulate. Fruit globular, 15 mm. in diameter,
rounded above, and crowned by the small remnants of the stigmas; scales very
small, in very numerous longitudinal series, yellowish brown with shiny blackish,
toothed-papillose (or glandular?) margins, nearly flat, slightly squarrose. Seed
38 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. assamica.
orbicular-depressed, 1 cm. in diameter, 6 mm. high. Fruiting periant&@» 15. mm.
across between the apices of the segments of the corolla; the calyx half as long
as the corolla, more or less 3-lobed, being split in the sinuses.
Hanrrar.—Sikkim Himalaya, especially abundant in the Darjeeling District from
1200 to 2000 m. elevation. (GrZfith, Herb. East India Comp. No. 6424 in
Herb. Kew); Hook, f. & Thomson exsiccata /P. montana) in fruit; and several
other collectors.) Vern. n. " Tahri Bet" (Nep.); *Ranul, Runul, Ranol" (Lepcha).
It produces soft canes of very little use except occasionally for tying fences, and
for rough basket work (Gamble). In fact the cortical part of the stem of this
Palm is not so strongly silicified as that of the more useful Rinds of Rattan
canes.
OnsERVvATIONS.—I have seen of this species the entire upper part of a flowering
female plant, kindly forwarded to me from Darjeeling by Sir David Prain; with
this material I have been able to give an almost complete descripiion of this
palm. Its main diagnostie notes are: The sheaths furnished with raised muricate
or spinous ridges; the leaves with leaflets green on both surfaces erfding in fila-
mentose tips; the spikes with only one vacuous spathel at its base, and with
the axial parts softly tomentose; the spathels oblong, twice as long as broad,
finely tomentose outside; the male flowers sessile with short shallow glabrous
trigonous calyx; the female flowers with shallow cupular thinly cartilaginous tri-
gonous calyx, and the corolla twice as long as the calyx; the ovary with strigose
non-laciniate scales, the stigmas sessile subulate; the fruit globular, relatively small,
not woolly; the scales with toothed-papillose margins and obtuse tips, the latter
appressed or very slightly squarrose; the seed orbicular-depressed; the fruiting
perianth quite explanate.
Prare 23.—Plectocomia himalayana Grif.—Portion of a partial inflorescence with
not quite mature fruits, from a specimen collected in Sikkim by Sir D. Prain in
1902. Two mature fruits and one seed (chalazal side) from Tukdah in Darjeel-
ling (Gamble). Upper part of a leaf sheath and intermediate portion of a leaf
from a young plant collected in the Darjeeling District by Brandis.
8. PrEcTOCOMIA assamica.—Griff in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v. 97: Palms Brit.
Ind. 107, t. 218 aa; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm, iii, 199, t. 166, f. si;
Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 479; Brandis, Ind. Trees, 650; Gamble, Man.
Ind. Timb. 2nd ed. 737.
Zalucca? assamica Lodd. ex Mig. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 81.
Description.—Leaves (not seen by me) very large; leaflets white and finely
furfuraceous beneath. 45—60 cm. long, 6—6'5 cm. wide, tip not- thread-like, coste
slender; petiole nearly 4 cm. broad, with stout marginal spines and short seriate
scattered rm of more slender dorsal ones (Descr. from Hooker l.c.). Male
spikes eit . Female spikes 70 cm. to 1 m. and over in length; the main
axis slightly sinuous, clothed with adherent soft thin rusty tomentum; the inter-
nodes 2—2°5 cm. long, slightly clavate, subterete or obsoletely angaar: Spathels
as usual distiehous, cuneate-oblong, more than twice as long as broad (6—7 cm.
P. assamica. PLECTOCOMIA. 39
long; 2:5—3 cm. wide), subtruncate or abruptly terminated by a broad and low,
triangular, acute or bluntish point; their broadest part is 15—20 mm. only
below the apex, and thence slightly tapers to a rather broad, concave, amplectent
base; are thinly coriaceous, clothed outside from the base with a fine rusty
tomentum, evanescent only in the upper triangular part. Spikelets composed of 3—7
flowers, on the whole shorter than their respective spathels, tbe flowers are alter-
nately distichous on a thickish angular, 15—25 mm. long axis, and are supported
by 3—4 mm. long, thick, subclavate, trigonous pedicels; the axis and the pedicels
rusty furfuraceous ; the bracteole at the base of every flower lanceolate—acuminate,
recurved, 4—5 mm. long. ruit globular, 23—25 mm. in diameter slightly conically
beaked from the persistent broadened bases of the stigmas, of a rich ferrug
brown colour when dry, densely villous or woolly from the deeply ciliate-split,
recurved, frizzled points of the scales. Seed globular (18 mm. in diameter in
Griffith’s figure). Fruiting perianth explanate; the calyx splits into 3 ovate oblong
parts; petals acuminate, considerably longer than the calyx and narrower than its
divisions (in Griffith’s figure).
Hanrrar.—Upper Assam ( Griffith).
OpsERvATIONS.—The original specimens upon which Griffith established this
species still exist in the Calcutta Herbarium, and consist in some spikes having
the spathels “much lacerated and split and partly -deficient” as Griffith says, and
fragments of one fruit; these specimens are accompanied by the following label :—
From Upper Assam. Rec. from Capt. Jenkins, il March 1840.—1 have based my
deseription on these specimens ; but in the Caleutta Herbarium are preserved other
specimens, corresponding pretty well to the typical ones, but apparently gathered
from plants that had flowered in the Garden, consisting of some spikes of a female
spadix bearing flowers just at the moment of their expansion ; these flowers are
2 cm. long and about 1 cm. broad at their base; the calyx is at first cupular-
campanulate, rounded and not thickened .at the ui striately veined, slightly furfura-
ceous, ciliolate on the margins and having 3 broadly triangular subulate teeth ; later it
splits into 3 very broad segments, suddenly contracted into a finely subulate tip,
8 mm. long including the tip; the corolla is much longer than the caylx, at least twice
and half as long; the petals from a broad base are narrowly lanceolate-subulate ; the
ovary is coarsely woolly from the crisp laciniate points of the scales ; the style is very
short, conical; the stigmas are trigonous, connivent, subulate, 1 cm. long and
"shorter than the petals during the anthesis. :
Although imperfectly known P. assamica is well characterized by its leaflets
whitish beneath; by the axial parts of the spikes and spikelets covered with
intensely rusty tomentum; by the spathels finely tomentose outside, cuneate-
oblong, more than twice as long as broad, terminated by a short triangular point ;
by the female spikelets bearing few flowers, and these on short pedicels, and
provided with small bracteoles; by the female flowers having the petals much
larger than the divisions of the calyx; and by the fruit globular, slightly conically-
beaked and densely villous from scales with erisp tips.
T. Anderson in his Enumeration of the Palms of Sikkim (Journ. of the Linn.
Soc. xi, 1869, p. 12) asserts that P. assamica and P. khasyana are identical (see
my observations to P. khasyana).
—-
40 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. khasyana.
PLatE 24.—Plectocomica assamica Grif.—A branch of the spadix with two female
spikes in flower. and two detached flowers ; from the supposed cultivated specimens
of the Calcutta Herbarium.
9. PLECTOCOMIA BRACTEALIS Becc. n. sp.
Description.—The description cf this species is based solely upon some spikes
with female flowers in the Calcutta Herbarium, which might easily be mistaken
for those belonging to P. assamica, but for their uncommonly large floral bracts.
In the new species the female spikelets have usually 5 flowers, with pedicels
5—6 mm. long, each provided with a lanceolate, long acuminate bract, 10—15 mm.
long and tomentose outside. The female fowers have the calyx split to the base
(often irregularly) into 2—3 elongate-triangular, very acuminate sepals, finely
striately veined and puberulous outside, 10—13 mm. long ; the petals from a broad
base are lanceolate, very acuminate, 15—18 mm. long; the ovary is coarsely
woolly from the erisp laciniate points of the scales, the style is very short, conical,
and trigonous with connivent, subulate stigmas, not surpassing the sepals in length
during the anthesis; the staminodes have very narrowly-sagittate sterile anthers,
The spathels are larger than those of P. assamica, 17—1'5 cm. long, 3 cm. wide, but |
of exactly the same shape. and like them are clothed with a thin soft indu-
mentum; the axis of the spike is also rusty tomentose, the internodes are slightly
clavate, 2—2°5 em. long, 5—6 mm. thick.
HanrraTr.—Ü pper Assam; at least this is the locality given upon the label
attached to the specimen preserved in the Herbarium at Calcutta; but probably this
specimen is from a plant once cultivated in that garden. The label bears printed :
“Coll. Masters". but this name has been intentionally struck out. A similar
specimen exists in the Herbarium at Petrograd.
OnsERVATIONS.— Apparently very similar in general habit to P. assamica, but as far
‘as it can be judged from the very incomplete specimens available it is at once
distinguishable by the more distinctly pedicellate flowers and their very conspicuous
long bracts (in P. assamica only 4—5 cm. long), but especially by the female flowers
having the calyx split from the base into triangular acuminate segments, only a
little shorter than the petals. Judging from the ovary, the fruit has probably the
same woolly appearance as that of P. assamica.
PLate 25.—Plectocomia bractealis Bece.—The entire type specimen, and detached
flowers, in the Herbarium at Calcutta.
LaTIN DIAGNOsIs.—Plectocomia bractealis Becc. sp. nov.
Floribus foemineis longiusevle pedicellatis, calyce fere usque ad basin tripartito
segmentis triangularibus, . acuminatis, longitudinem petalorum fere aequantibus ;
bracteolis floralibus conspicuis, lanceolatis, longe acuminatis et 10—15 mm. longis;
ovarii squamis lanato-crispis.
, 10. PLECTOCOMIA KHASYANA Grifi. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 106: Palms
Brit. Indi 106, t. cexviii; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 478 ; Brandis, Ind.
Trees, 650; Gamble, Man. Ind. Timb.. 2nd ed, 737. P. assamicı (non
Griff.) W. Hooker in Bot. Magaz. t. 5105, f. 1—5 (excl. fig. 6—10).
P. kerrana. PLECTOCOMIA. 41
Description.—Stems 18—25 m. long, as thick as a man’s arm. (Brandis).
Leaves very large. Leatets broadly lanceolate. or lanceolate-elliptical, their
broadest part being in the middle, and thence equally tapering to both ends,
gradually but not very long-acuminate above, conspicuously discolorous, t.e.,
green above and mealy whitish beneath; the © mid-costa stronger on the
lower than on the upper surface, the nerve on each margin as strong as the
mid-costa; secondary nerves numerous, very slender; the margins appressedly
minutely spinulous from the middle upwards; intermediate leaflets 40—42 cm.,
and in young specimens in cirriferous leaves up to 60 em. long and 8 em. wide;
the apex slightly falcate. Male spikes 45—60 cm. long, their main axis slender,
lanuginose ; the internodes 15—20 mm. long. Spathels 5—6 em. in length, oblong,
triangular in theim upper third part, and thence slightly tapering downward, the
apex acute or bluntish, the margins ciliolate, the outer surface greyish tomentose
in their lower two-thirds, glabrous above. Male spkelets 2—25 cm. long and
having many flowers; their axis fugaciously lanuginose ; bracteoles very small
subulate. Male flowers 10—12 mm. long, sessile, narrowly lanceolate-subulate ; the
calyx quite glabrous, very small and shallow, trigonous, 3-toothed, 2 mm. across,
the teeth very acuminate; petals cartilaginous, lanceolate, gradually aeuminate from
the base, the points more or less wavy; stamens with thickish and subulate
filaments ; anthers elongate-sagittate, acute, 3 mm. long; :udimentary ovary very
small. Female spikes . . . . Fruit (description after Griffith) “surrounded at
the base by the calyx and corolla, not flattened out, apex attenuated into the style,
rostrate-apiculate, otherwise round, about one inch in diameter (25 mm. in Griffith's
figure) dark brown; scales very numerous, rather small, either nearly smooth or
with ciliate margins, and recurved, split, fimbriate points; when not much rubbed
it has a woolly appearance.’ Seed globular, slightly depressed, 18 mm. broad, 15
mm. high in Griffith's figure.
Hasrrat.—Khasia. Hills: (Grifità ; Hook. f. & Thomson exsicc.); at Shaila 750 m.
alt. (Brandis in Herb. Becc.—Leaves only.)
OssERvATIONS.—I have a very incomplete knowledge of this species, Which T.
Anderson (Journ. Linn. Soc. xi, 12) declares identical with P. assamica, from
which, however, it seems to differ especially in the fruit distinetly beaked, not
woolly, having the scales simply fimbriate and not crisped. The fresh spathels of
P. khasyana are described by Hooker as white with broad acute or acuminate tips
and with a broad brown interposed band; in P. assamica the spathels appear more
densely tomentose.
I have described the male spike and flowers from the plant that flowered at
Kew and was figured in the Botanical Magazine.
Prate 26.—Plectocomia khasyana Grif. —An entire’ partial male inflorescence
from the plant that flowered at Kew. . (Reproduction of the sheet in the
Herbarium at Kew.)
4 kn
11. PLEcrocomia KERRANA Bece. sp. n. ©
Descrrprron.—Apparently a. smaller plant than P. assamica and P. khasyana.
Leaves 2:40 to 2°70 m. long (Kerr), inclusive of the terminal cirrus. The rhachis
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
x
42 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. kerrana.
in a portion near the base (2 em. broad) is convex beneath and provided with
distant solitary claws along the dorsum and with some small spines at the sides;
it is broadly channelled above, has rounded margins, upon which are attached the
leaflets, and is subterete towards the end; the cirrus in one leaf (probably from
the upper part of the plant)'is robust and short (35 em. long), very closely and
regularly armed with half whorls of 5-nate claws, with pale swollen bases and
short blackish points. Leaflets in groups of 2—4 in the lower part. of the rhachis,
and distantly scattered towards the end, conspicuously discolorous, green above.
white puberulos beneath; the marginant nerves stronger than the mid-costa; the
margins remotely and very minutely spinulous ; the lower leaflets are lanceolate, 55
em. long and 5 cm. wide in their lower third part, and thence very gradually
acuminate upwards to a subulate rather rigid tip; upper leaflets gradually and
considerably smaller and broadest about their middle. The uppermost leaves, from
the axillas of which spring the branches of the spadix, are reduced to a clawed
cirrus only, terminating the sheath; "the latter is covered: with greyish down and
armed with small pale, often fascicled, slender spines. Male spikes are recurved, from
an ascendent, rather elongate, peduncular part, are 75—90 cm. long, terete, and about
l cm. in diameter before the anthesis; at that moment the spathels are appressedly
imbricate, but bécome spreading later, are quite glabrous, green and glaucous
outside in their upper half. which remains exposed before the anthesis, and paler
in the lower and covered part ; are cinnamon brown inside (in the dry condition),
and very finely striate on both surfaces, are of a thin rigid papery texture, cuneately
oblong, broadly triangular in their upper third part. and. thence, tapering to a
narrow base; the apex is acute; the lower spathels are 4'5 cm. long, 2:5 cm. wide ;
the upper gradually slightly smaller. The main axis of the spikes is slightly zig-
zag sinuous, subterete, 2 mm. in diameter in its lower thickest part, scabridulous
from short rigid branched rusty hairs; the internodes ‘are 15—20 mm. long.
Male spikelets 3°5 cm. long in- the lower part of the spikes, shorter above,
very densely flowered, their axis covered ‘with coarse pale branched hairs. Male
flowers lanceolate, very acuminate, 1 cm. long, in very approximate pairs, provided
with short scarious, brown, broad, acute, spreading bracts and bracteoles; the
calyx quite glabrous, very small, trigonous 3-toothed, 2—2°5 em. across! its
teeth“ acuminate ; petals thinly cartilaginous, lanceolate, acuminate from. the base,
the points more or less wavy; stamens with stoutish subulate filaments ; anthers
elongate-sagittate, 4 mm. long, acute; rudimentary ovary very minute. Female
spikes having the main axis thicker than that of the male ones, rusty-scabrid and
5 mm. in diameter ; the spathels are as in the male spikes, much lacerated at the
fruiting time. Spikelets 2—2'5 cm. long, having 8—10 alternate flowers borne by very
short thick trigonous rusty-scabrid pedicels ; the floral bracts very small. Fruits are
spherical or a littie longer than broad, 23 mm. in diameter, very slightly mammillate,
and beaked by the remains of the persistent short, trigonous, connivent stigmas
and are of a general smooth appearance ; the scales are arranged in very numerous
(nearly 50) longitudinal series, flattish and faintly grooved along the centre, polished,
of a deep straw colour, with narrow reddish-brown edges; the margins very
minutely and dénsely ciliate; the apex very slightly produced, bluntish, ‘very
minutely ciliate-fringed and very slightly raised (not: applied) rendering the fruit
faintly squarrose. Seed exactly spherical, 15 mm. in diameter. Fruiting perianth
P. pierreana. PLECTOCOMIA. 43
not accrescent, quite explanate and sessile on its pedicel; the calyx very small,
5 mm. across, with 3 deltoid acute or acuminate teeth ; the petals striately veined,
anceolate-acuminate, slightly falcate, several times longer than the calyx, 19—13 mm.
long, 3—4 mm. wide at. the base; the sterile stamens form a flat stellate disk,
with 6 deltoid teeth, subulate at apex and bearing small sagittate anthers.
HanrrAT.—North-West Siam, discovered by Dr. A. F. G. Kerr, the 30th April
1911, at Doi Soetep near Chiengmai at 1,200, m. elev., in dense evergreen jungle ;
No. 1817 in Kew and Beccari Herbaria.
Osservations.—Allied to P. Pierreana Becc. and perhaps like that derived from
P. khasyana Griff. It is characterized by the conspicuously discolorous leaflets,
puberulous-white beneath ; by the spathels glabrous glaucous in their upper half;
by the male spikelets being very densely flowered; by the male flowers having
very small trigonous 3-toothed, ,quite glabrous calyces; by the fruit being obsoletely
mammillate, not, woolly, but very slightly squarrose, having the scales with short
ciliate points ; by the fruiting perianth having the calyx explanate and split, but
trigonous and 3-toothed ; and by the petals narrowly lanceolate-acuminate and
falcate, several times longer than. the calyx. E oi
P. «kerzdun;. diffors.. from Pif Pierreama in Mita io slightly mammillate fruit,
having an exactly spherical seed, and being covered by scales with bluntish not,
produced apices; and in the fruiting perianth having the calyx not. AUR smaller
and with much longer and more acuminate petals. |
From P. khasyana it differs in the quite glabrous (not externally pubescent)
spathels, and ‘in the axes of the spikes being rusty scabrid.
PLATE 27. dit Kerrana Bece. HE A of the upper part of a flowering
male plant with a spike before the anthesis.. Male spike in flower; the end of a
leaf. From Kerr's No. 1814, in Herb. Becc. Bees
PLATE 28.—Plectocomia Kerrana Bécc.—Spike with mature fruits ; detached fruits :
seed cut through the embryo; intermediate portion of a leaf. From Kerr's No. 1814
in Herb. Bece.
LatIN DIAGNOSIs.—Plectocomia Kerrana Bece. sp. nov. Frondium segmentis conspicue
discoloribus, supra virentibus, subtus indumento tenui, puberulo, albido, indutis ;
spicarum parte axili scabrida; spathellis glabris in dimidia superigri parte glaucis ;
floris 4 calyce parvo, trigono, tridentato, omnino - glabro; fructibus sphaericis,
majusculis, obsolete mammillatis, sub-squarrosis, squamis apice breviter ciliatis ; semine
sphaerico; perianthio fructifero explanato,. Lago anguste lanceolato-faleatis quam
calyce pluries. longioribus. i
12. PLecrocomia PrERREANA Bece. in Webbia, iii (1910), 236, 244, and in Bull,
| Mus. d Hit. Nat. Paris, 1911, No. 3, 158.
Drscription.—Apparently one of the smaller species of the genus. The leaves
that are known with certainty to belong to it are only those very near the flower-
ing end of the plant, placed immediately below the inflorescence ; such leaves have
the leaf-sheath about 2 cm. in diameter, sprinkled with small very short spines
especially abundant along the dorsum and near the margins of the mouth; the
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA. VOL. XII.
dl ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. pierreana.
petiole is reduced almost to nothing ; the pinniferous part is very short, the rhachis
is unarmed on both surfaces, subterete, slightly and narrowly grooved on the upper
surface. Leaflets not numerous, approximate in pairs or in threes on each side of
the rhachis, very narrowly lanceolate, 15—25 cm. long, 12—18 mm. at their widest,
narrowing below to an acute base and very gradually upwards to a slender very
acuminate tip, rigid, papyraceous, slightly paler underneath than above, with the mid-
costa prominent only near the base, and the margins more or less thickened. Male
spadix . . . . Female spadix as usual branched ; one branch issuing from a leaf is at
first erect and is divided at different levels into 3 spikes, pendulous from a rather
elongate curved basilar part, which is sheathed by several spathels not bearing
spikelets; the lowest of these spathes is elongately tubular, the following are
obconical and obliquely truncate at their mouths; the flower-bearing portion of `
the spike is, in two specimens, 35 em. long; its main axis is slightly sinuous,
obsoletely-trigonous, rusty-furfuraceous ; the spathels are 12—16 mm. apart, 3 cm.
long, 2 em. wide, obovoid-oblong, with their upper part broadly triangular from a
little above the middle, acute at apex, thinly papery, very finely striate on both
surfaces, apparently glabrous externally (I have seen only those of the fruiting
spadices, much deteriorated by age). Fruit spherical, 2 cm. in diameter, abruptly
beaked from the remains of the stigmas, of a slightly squarrose and not woolly
appearance; scales arranged in 42—44 vertical series, rather glossy, of a deep straw,
or reddish brown colour with either darker or chestnut brown margins, their points
triangular, somewhat proluced or acuminate and, like the margins, very finely
ciliate fringed; the scales of the upper half of the fruit applied; those of the
lower half very slightly raised. Seed globular, somewhat depressed, #.e., slightly
broader than high, 14—15 mm. broad, 11—11°5 mm. high ; its surface even but rendered
rough from the thin, very adherent, dry integument; raphe indistinct ; chalazal fovea
inconspicuous, punetiform, quite superficial ; albumen bony, homozenous ; embryo basal.
Fruiting perianth quite explanate and sessile on its pedicel; the calyx small
7—8 mm. across, with 3 deltoid acute or acuminate teeth, usually split in the sinuses ;
the petals lanceolate with more or less falcate acuminate points, about 1 cm. long,
3—3°5 mm. wide at the base, three times as long as the calyx; the sterile stamens
form with the confluent broadened .bases..of the filaments a flat stellate disk
divided into 6 deltoid subulate tecth, STE small sterile, sagittate, distinetly
biauricled anthers. |
Hasrrat.—Indo-China: On the mountains of Cam-cháy at 900 m. elevation in
che Province of Kampuh in Cambodia (Pierre No. 4857 in the Paris Herbarium and
from the same source, Herb. Hance No. 19241 in the British Museum Herbarium).
Osservations.—It is perhaps the smallest species of the genus, closely related
to P. Kerrana, and apparently derived from P. khasyana. It is characterized by
the leaflets being paler beneath than above (not mealy or powdery white beneath);
by the spathels being glabrous, obovoid-oblong, about twice as long as broad; by
the female spikes having a rusty furfuraceous axis; by the fruit being not wooly
but slightly squarrose, exactly spherical, covered by scales having finely ciliate
margins, and slightly produced, acuminate, minutely ciliate fringed points; by the
globular seed slightly broader than high; and by ‘the’ explanate fruiting perianth
with trigonous, 3-toothed calyx, and the corolla three times as long as the calyx.
P. pierreana. PLECTOCOMIA. 45
From P. Kerrana it differs in the smaller exactly spherical fruit, in the seed
broader than high, in the smaller fruiting ‘perianth, with relatively larger calyx and
Shorter petals.
Most probably belongs to P. Pierreana one sterile specimen consisting of a portion
of a leaf from an adult but not yet flowering plant, collected also by Pierre in
Jambodia on the mountains Panghi at 300 m. elev. Province of Binh Thuan
(Pierre No. 4856 in the Paris Herbarium.) Annamite name “ May-xuong-móc." In this
specimen the rhachis is subterete, armed below along the middle with solitary or
2—3-nate claws ; the leaflets are ashy-gray beneath, lanceolate, very acuminate, thinly
papery, 60—70 cm. long, 4—7 cm. wide, with the margins strongly thickened and
Spinulous near the apex.
PLATE 29.—Plectocomia Pierreana Becc. One leaf (wanting the terminal cirrus)
apparently from the upper flowering part of the plant; fruits and seeds. From
Pierre's specimen in the British Museum Herbarium.
46 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Plectocomiopsis.
PLECTOCOMIOPSIS Becc.
Becc. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 479; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. i, 213
(partly). CAR
Large, scandent, calamoid, dioecious, monocarpie palms, with terminal inflores-
cence ‘formed by several branches each issuing from the leaf-sheath of a reduced
leaf. Leaves of ihe adult plant cirriferous. having leaf-sheaths -not gibbous above
and gradually passing into the petiole; the mouth provided with a fugacious ocrei-
form membranous appendage. Leaflets elongate, acuminate, straight, unicostate.
sprinkled with microlepidia on the under surface; margins not or slightly thicken-
ed; secondary nerves slender. Male and female partial inflorescences twice branched.
Male flowering-branchelets elongate, bearing distichally several small few-flowered spike-
lets. Male flowers having thick filaments united together in their basal part, and
introflexed at the apex; anthers dorsifixed, dehiscing laterally; rudiments of the
ovary very small or obsolete. Female spadix having’ the flower-bearing branchlets
elongate, bearing distichally and alternately greatly reduced spikelets, composed of
only two (rarely 3—4) female flowers, not accompanied by a male or neuter flower.
and provided with only one disciform involuere. Female flowers of a thickish struc-
ture; the calyx cupular-campanulate. 3-toothed; the corolla undivided and urceolate
in the basal part, and more or less 3-lobed or 3-parted above stamens; with fila-
ments united together to form a membranous tube more or less connate with the
corolla, 6-toothed in the free part and bearing anthers apparently well conformed.
Ovary oblong, obsoletely trilocular, 3-ovulate, the dissepiments of the cells soon
obliterated ; stigmas short, thick. Fruit monospermous, globose, the pericarp fragile,
covered with scales arranged very regularly in very numerous series. Seed globular,
covered with a rather thick fleshy integument; the nucleus not pitted ; „albumen
equable ; embryo basal.
Onservations.— Plectocomiopsis is allied to Myrialepis, from which it differs espe-
cially in the fruit, (which in Myrialepis is covered with very irregularly arranged
extremely minute scales) and in the different conformation of the female flowers.
Likewise Plectocomiopsis much resembles Plectocomia in the ‘vegetative organs, but
the spadices andthe flowers, male and female, are ‘widely different in the two
genera.
. Only two species belong with certainty to the genus Plectocomiopsis, P. gemini-
florus and P. Wrayi, P. dubius being a doubtful species. - Of the other two species
I have ineluded in the genus Plectocomiopsis (P. paradoxus and P. floribundus), the
male plant only is known, and in the absence of the female spadix and fruit, their
generie positions remain somewhat uncertain, the more that they show also marked
affinities with Myrialepis. È
The stem of P. geminiflorus, and perhaps also of the other species of the same
genus, is distinctly 3-gonous when the plants are young, but the tendency of the stem
Plectocomiopsis. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS. 47
to keep that shape remains also to the last period of the life of the plant, in its
uppermost flowering end. A trigonous stem. is a structure of very rare occurrence in
palms, only another case approaching that of Plectocomiopsis having been observed
by me in a spadix-bearing specimen of the African Eremospatha macrocarpa Wendl.
' GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus has a. relatively wide
distribution, being found growing from Lower Burma down throughout the entire
Malay,Peninsula and in Sumatra ; it is also represented by local varieties in Billiton
and Borneo. P. Wray and P. dubius are restricted to the Malay Peninsula. P.
floribundus is a Cochin-Chinese species, related however to P. pradoxus growing in
Pegu.
PLECTOCOMIOPSIS.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A; Flowers ( d and 2 ) subcoriaceous.
* Leaves of the upper part of the plant having a very short petiole. Male
flowers globose-ovoid. Female flowers broadly ovoid and obtusely tri-
gonous, bluntish. Fruit with scales in 35 vertical series
P. geminiflorus Becc.
f Leaflets having the ‘mid-costa smooth or with a few rigid
subspiny bristles. ‘Partial 9 inflorescences composed of not many
thick branches furnished with flowers from near the base. The.
corolla of the female flower covered with thickish hairs.
I. P. geminiflorus Becc. (forma. typica).
|» Lower Burma, Malay Peninsula—Sumatra.
tf Leaflets with long bristles on the Jnid-eosta. Flowering branch-
lets more slender than in type. Flowers as in type.
P. geminiflorus var. billitonensis Bece.
—Bbilliton.
fff Leaflets with long bristles on the mid-costa. Partial 9 inflores-
.cences with. numerous branches having an elongate pedicellar part
devoid of flowers. Female flowers Ic the corolla covered with
small. pellucid scales.
P. dendi iesus van. borneensis Becc.
— Borneo. ;
** Leaves of the upper part of the "plant having a long petiole. Male
flowers narrow, clavate. Female flowers cpl di elliptical, acumi-
nate. Fruit with scales in 24 vertical series. `
2. P. Wrayii Becc.— Malay Peninsula.
48 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. geminiflorus.
*** Leaves of the upper part .of the plant having a long petiole. Male
spadix with numerous slender pendulous branches. Male flowers
very small, ovate, acute.
3. P. dubius Becc—Malay Peninsula.
B. Male flowers having membranous calyx and cartilaginous corolla. Male spa-
dives forming large panicles with divaricate branches and scorpioid spikelets.
Leaflets with smooth nerves. (Fruit unknown.) .
* Leaflets unequidistant but not distinctly grouped. Male flowers 5 mm.
long.
4. P. paradoxus Becc—Pegu.
** Leaflets in small groups. with long vacant spaces. interposed. Male
flowers 3 mm. long.
5, P. floribundus Becc—Indo-China.
Description or PLATE II A.
Figs. 1—8. | Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus Becc.—Fig. 1. Portion of a male
flower bearing branchlet with not fully developed flowers.—Fig. 2. Section of a
male flower showing the androecium entire.—Fig. 3. Section of a male flower
through the middle of the androecium.—Fig. 5. Section of a female flower show-
ing the staminal urceolum (including the ovary) entire.—Fig. 6. The same as
fig. 5. but with the urceolum cut through the middle, showing the ovary entire.—
Fig. 7—8 Anthers of the female flower, front and back view. All figures enlarged.
Figs. 9—14. Plectocomiopsis Wrayii Becc.—Fig. 9. Male flower.—Fig. 10. Fe-
male flower.—Fig. 11. Section of a female flower showing the ovary entire.—
Fig. 12. Longitudinal section of a male flower.—Fig. 13—14. Anthers from a male
flower, back and side view. All figures enlarged.
Figs. 15—21. Plectocomiopsis paradoxus Bece.—Fig. 15—17. Male flowers.—
. Fig. 18. Longitudinal section of the corolla and androecium.—Fig. 19. Back view
of half androecium.—Figs. 20—21. Stamens. All figures enlarged 6 diameters.
1. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS GEMINIFLORUS Becc. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 479.
Calamus geminiflorus Griff. ex Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 338; Gritf. Palms
Brit. Ind. 70, t. 199A.
Plectocomia geminiflora H. Wendl. ex Hook. f. l. c.
Calamus turbinatus Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 212!
Description.—A strong climber. Sheathed stem of the upper part of the
flowering plant 3—4 cm. in diameter, terete or nearly so, in young plants more
or less trigonous. Leaf-sheaths obliquely truncate and with thin dry lacerated
borders at the mouth, light straw coloured when dry, glabrescent or very slightly
scurfy, sprinkled with scattered conical spines, usually very short or also tuber-
culiform, but at times (apparently in middle aged vigorous plants) very unequal,
P. geminiflorus. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS. 49
pale, laminar, subulate, up to 2 cm. long and irregularly set in small interrupted
series. Intermediate leaves about 2 m. long, having a short petiolar part (reduced
to nothing in the uppermost leaves) glabrescent or slightly scurfy, 10—13 mm.
broad, flattish, slightly furrowed along the centre above, convex and sparingly
clawed along the centre beneath; the edges acute and with few distant prickles ;
rhachis concave above in its lower portion, but with a salient smooth angle
upwards, and on the whole trigonous in transverse section, armed below with
distant at first single, higher up geminate and finally ternate claws ; the cirrus is
elongate and armed at regular intervals with half whorled claws. Leaflets numerous,
equidistant, 4—6 cm. apart, (at times more) on each side of the rhachis. firmly papyra-
ceous, lanceolate, largest about their middle, and thence, gradually and almost equally »
narrowing towards both ends, thé base acute, gradually acuminate from above the
middle upwards to a very finely subulate, very slightly bristly tip, glossy above and
slightly paler on the undersurface, which also is closely sprinkled with very. minute
pale dets (mierolepidia), visible only under a lens; the mid-costa slender, smooth
or occasionally furnished with a few rigid subspiny bristles ; secondary nerves
numerous on each side of the mid-costa, unequal and connected by sharp transverse
veinlets; margins acute or slightly thickened, smooth or very sparingly and
remotely spinulous; the intermediate leaflets 25—30 cm. long. 2°5—3°5 em. broad .
upper leaflets gradually diminished till the terminal leaves are reduced to almost
only the sheaths and the rhachis, bearing very few and very narrow leaflets, and
terminating in a slender clawed gradually shorter cirrus. Male spadix apparently
more diffuse than the female; a partial inflorescence, probably not entire, is 50
em. long, and in every part of a uniform fulvous tint; its main axis is 8 mm.
thick at its base, narrows above and . carries numerous flower-bearing branchlets,
all turned to one side; the spathes are tubular-infundibuliform, closely sheathing
obliquely truncate and sciliate at the -mouth, and produced at one side into a
triangular acuminate point, are finely striate and thinly covered with appressed
whitish scales. The flower-bearing branchlets are inserted nearly at the‘ bottom
of their relative spathe with a flattened pedicellar part, are considerably thinner
than the female branchlets, 20—25 cm. long, flaccid, nodding or pendulous.
distinctly zig-zag sinuous between the spikelets or glomerules of flowers ; their
spathes are infundibuliform with a narrow base and a wide truncate ciliate
mouth, produced at one side into a triangular acuminate point, and densely
covered with short fulvous hairs. The spikelets are reduced to glomerules
composed of 5—7 flowers in all, disposed in two series; spathels bracteiform, acute,
slightly concave with a broad base, membranous, striate, ciliate; involucre slightly
concave, more or less distinctly 3-toothed and striately veined. Male flowers
globose-ovoid, 4 mm. long, very obsoletely 3-gonous, with a broad base and an
obscurely pyramidate point; the calyx subcoriaceous, thickish, glabrous, shortly and
broadly 3-toothed, not or only very faintly striately-veined ; the corolla broadly
ovoid ; petals cartilaginous, ovate-elliptical, acute; stamens 6, having the filaments
united in their lower part and forming there a small fleshy cup, each filament
having however a short and thick free part, which in 3 stamens is slightly
longer than. in the other 3; anthers broadly ovate, blunt, the cells opening
laterally. Rudimentary ovary none. The female inflorescence consists of a large
terminal leafy panicle, composed of several gradually curtailed and nodding partial
ì
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
\
50 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. geminiflorus.
inflorescences, each issuing from the bottom of the sheath of a reduced leaf;
the branches or partial inflorescences. composing the panicle are 40—45 cm. long,
and carry 7—8 approximate, usually very thick and stout, pendulous flower-bearing
branchlets or spikes, issuing also from inside the mouths of their respective
spathes, and provided with a short pedicellar part; uppermost branches gradually
diminishing and consisting of 2—3 branchlets only. Spathes of the main axis
of the partial inflorescences infundibuliform, obliquely truncate, rather loosely
sheathing, thin but rigid in texture, usually split, produced at one side into a tri-
angular point. Flower-bearing branchlets 25—28 cm. long or less, thinly ferruginous-
ly pubescent in every part, having a thick main axis, zig-zag sinuous between
. the spathels ; the latter suffulting the contracted spikelets are obliquely infundi-
buliform, have a very wide mouth and a narrow base, and are slightly produced
‘ at one side into ;a triangular acute point. ‘The spikelets are composed of only
two, at times three or at most four, equally developed female flowers, not accom-
panied by neuter flowers; each flower is furnished with a shallowly cupular
truncate involucre, which usually is of one piece, but occasionally appears to be
formed of two bracts imbricated by their more or less connate bases; externally
to the involucre is a short thickish bracteole. Female flowers broadly ovoid, obtusely
trigonous, bluntish, about 7 mm.- long; the calyx of a thick texture, cupular,
with a broad subcallous base, not striate, broadly 3-toothed, obsoletely keeled.
slightly hairy, later glabrous, the teeth obtuse; the corolla twice as long as the
calyx, parted down below the middle into 3 subcoriaceous broadly ovate acute
lobes and covered outside with very fine short stiff appressed hairs; staminal
urceolum formed by the connate. thickish filaments, united tothe corolla only
in the basal part and at least for two-thirds free, terminated by 6 short thick
deltoid teeth. Fruit (immature) roundish-turbinate, but when full grown
apparently globular-depressed, flattish above and terminated by the small remains
of the stigmas, about 3 em. in diameter; scales very numerous, but' very regularly
arranged in about 35 longitudinal series, flattened, with acute tips and very finely
fimbrate whitish edges, very faintly grooved along the centre. The pericarp at
maturity is fragile. Seed apparently covered by a fleshy and very juicy integument ;
when freed from this globular-depressed, z cm., in diameter, with even (non-pitted),
surface; albumen equable; embryo basal Fruiting perianth broadly campanulate,
finally almost explanate, not accrescent, but becoming hard and almost woody
having the teeth of the staminal urceolum alternating with the divisions of the
corolla, trigonous, conspieuous between these, although smaller.
Hasrrar.—South Burma, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra. This Palm was
first described and figured by Griffith from specimens collected at Malacca, and
it was more recently found again by Scortechini in the District of Perak on
Gunong (Mount) Tambang Batak (Scort. No. 983b in Herb. Bece.). Malay name
“Rotang Rahilang.” -Ridley gives for his Calamus turbinatus, which exactly
corresponds to P: geminiflorus, the locality of Kwala Pilah in Negri Sembilan,
i : È and
the native name “ Rotang Relang.
In Sumatra it has been found with mature fruit, corresponding in every respect
to the Malayan plani, by Dr. Heyne in Lampong: (No. 87 in Herb. Bogor. and Bece.) .
xus a
and in Palembang (No. 26)in the very young stage with sharply 3-cornered sheaths
hj
P. geminiflorus. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS. 51
having the flat sides 1 cm. wide, and the naked cane also with rather
sharp angles; the mouth of the leaf-sheaths is irregularly truncate. produced
15—20. mm. above the insertion of the: petiole, and. ciliate on the margin,
Scortechini also collected in Perak a specimen from a young plant of this Palm
having trigonous sheaths and stem. The male plant was collected by Franz
Keheding in Singapore (Herb. Becc.). Recently I have received also a male specimen
gathered from a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg and introduced from Palembang in
Sumatra. Female specimens, apparently not differing from those of Malacca,
are JMeebold's No. 15237 from Bowachoung in Tavoy in Tenasserim (Herb. Breslau),
and No. 29378 of the Herbarium of the Reporter. on Economie Products to the
Government of India, from the Twet-wa forest, also in Tavoy ; Burm. name “ Kyein
Ni”. This last specimen, forwarded to me by Mr. Burkill, differs from the
Malacca ones- in having the leaflets more distinctly spinulous on the margins, and
in the perianth of very young fruits having the calyx covered with the same | kind
of hairs that cover the petals; in this specimen also the first portion of the rhachis
is prickly on the upper surface. ;
hd
OmsERYATIONS.—Ít is a fine and curious palm, which certainly in the young
stage has a sharply trigonous stem, clothed also with trigonous sheaths. It is
allied only to P. Wrayii, but it is a larger plant than it and has different
male and female flowers, although of a similar structure; in this respect differing
from P. paradoxus and P. floribundus; the female flowers and fruit of which being
unknown are hardly comparable with the typical species of the genus Plectocomtopsis.
My description of the male spadix has been drawn up from a specimen col-
lected by Franz Keheding at Singapore in May 1878 (Herb. Becc.), which is
aecompained by a portion of a leaf not differing in the slightest detail from the
leaves of the typical specimen of the female plant.
In the supplement to Calamus (Annals Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta Vol. XI,
suppl. p. ui) I had reduced C. turbinatus Ridley to Plectocomiopsis Wrayi Becc.,
but after the inspection of the type specimen, kindly forwarded to me by
Mr. Ridley himself, I have no doubt tuat it corresponds exactly te the fruiting
plant of P. geminiflorus Bece. i
Prare 30.—Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus Bece.—Branch of the spadix with male
flowers in bud; portion of a leaf. From Franz Keheding’s specimen in Herb. Becc.
Prate 31.—Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus Becc.— Upper portion of a plant with one
of the lowest partial inflorescences with not quite mature fruits. Portion of the
sheathed stem from an adult but not yet flowering plant ; intermediate portion of a
leaf. From Scortechni No. 283b in Herb. Bece.
"12. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS GEMINIFLORUS var. BILLITONENSIS Becc.
Description.—Sheathed stem 2—2°5 cm. in diameter. Leaf sheaths of vigorous
but not yet flowering plants, thinly rusty furfuraceous, variously armed, at times
densely, with very unequal, subulate, flattened spines, 10—20 mm. long or smaller ;
ihe mouth oblique, bordered with an elongate, thinly membranous, exsuccous, lace-
rate, speedly deciduous ocreiform appendage, and often provided at the base of the
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
52 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. geminiflorus.
petiole with a few spines longer than others; in the leaves of ihe flowering
panicle the sheaths are less spinous and at times the spines are short and tuber-
culiform. The petiole is very short in the leaves of the panicle, and is more elon-
gate and more prickly in young plants; the rhachis is prickly on the upper
surface in its first portion. The leaflets are as in the type, but are in addition
furnished above on the mid-costa with a few conspicuous bristles. at times
10—15 wm, long. The female spadiz is as in type, but the flower-bearing branch-
lets are usually more slender and have the spathels expanded more suddenly,
more concave and almost bracteiform. Involueres of the flowers almost explanate,
disciform, usually distinctly formed by two imbricate bracts. The fruiting perianth
has the calyx glabrous, the divisions on the corolla covered with short stiff
appressed hairs, and the three lobes of the staminal urceolum alternating with
the segments of the corolla, thick, triangular and acutely keeled. Fruit (not
quite mature) globular-turbinate, perhaps smaller than in type, otherwise identical ;
scales in 37 longitudinal series.
Hasirat.—The Island of Billiton in the Sunda Strait (Heyne No. 6 and 2428 bis
in Herb. Bogor and Beccari).
Osservations.—It differs from the peninsular plant in the leaf sheaths more
spinous ; in the leaves with prickly rhachis ; in the leaflets with long bristles on
the mid-costa ; in the spadix not: having so thick flower-bearing branchlets, and in
. the spathels miha more spreading and almost bracteiform limb.
Prare 32.—Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus vam. billitonensis Bece—The end of a
plant with immature fruits ; one of the uppermost leaves. From Heyne’s spécimen
in Herb. Becc.
X
16. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS GEMINIFLORUS var. BORNEENSIS Becc.
| Plectocomiopsis sp. Beec. in Winkler Beitr. ete. in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 48,
(1912), 92. :
P. borneensis Becc. Mss. name in Herb. Hort. Bot. Bog.; Heyne, ? Nuttige
Pl. van Nederl. Ind. (1913) 103.
Calamus triqueter. Bece. Malesia, iii, 62.
Myrialepis triqueter. Becc. in Hook. f. FI. Brit. hid vi, 480. Heyne.
Nutt. Pl. van Nederl Ind. (1913), 103.
f
Description.—Sheathed stem of the upper part- of the flowering plant about
3 cm. in diameter, subterete, more or less distinctly trigonous in young individuals.
Leaf sheaths striate and armed with numerous, small, scattered spines 5—7
mm. long at most but frequently "less, or also tubereuliform; in young leaves the
mouth of the leaf-sheaths has a more or less lacerated margin and at first is pro-
duced into a thinly membranous, deciduous, at times elongate, lacerate, ocreiform
appendage. The petiolar part is short in the upper leaves, and- apparently is
elongate in the lower ones. Leaflets as in type, having smooth margins and a
few bristles, short or long, on the mid-costa above. The flowering female panicle
is apparently very large; an entire partial inflorescence seen by me, probably one
\
P. geminiflorus. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS, 53
of the lowest, has the main axis recurved, is 45 em. long, and carries numerous
(18). dependent flower-bearing branchlets, 20—30 cm. long, including a rather
slender elongate pedicellar part, which is sheathed by vacuous or non-flower-
bearing spathels, otherwise the flower-bearing branches ‘are similar to those of the
type. and have the spathels covered with fulvous appressed hairs as usual, but
are more acuminate; the involucre is shallowly concave, trigonous, finely ciliate on
the margins; the bracteoles are also acute and ciliate. Female flowers two or
occasionally three at each spathel, apparently subhermaphrodite, very broadly ovoid
and obtusely trigonous, bluntish, about 6 mm. long, 5 mm. broad; the calyx is
cupular, of a thick structure, and has a subcallous broad base, is broadly 3-toothed,
slightly hairy-} apillose, but later glabrous; the corolla is twice as long as the
calyx. parted down below the middle into 3 pergamentaceous, concave, ovoid, acute
segments, covered outside with very appressed very thin hyaline scales. Staminal
urceolum thickish, almost entirely free from the corolla, only a little shorter than
it and enclosing the pistil; the mouth of the tube is divided into 6 short trian-
gular teeth, representing the filaments, curved: inside; each tooth ‘bears an almost
normally developed, broadly ovate, subdidymous, anther ; the young ovary is oblong
and bears above a ring of few large imbrieating scales ; stigmas thiekish, broadly
linear, connivent, obtuse. Fruit unknown. HN
Hanrrar.—The type ‘specimen representing this apparently rather distinct
variety bears almost fully developed female flowers and was collected by Dr.
Winkler at Hayup in S.-W. Borneo (No. 2401 in the Breslau and Beccari
Herbaria). Specimens from young plants also referable to this variety are Heyne’s
Nos. 20 dis and 11 (Herb. Bogor. and Becc.) from Bandjermassin, and most pro-
bly. also Beco. P. B. No. 2079, the type of C. triqueter, from Mt. Mattang in
Sarawak. f
Osservations.—It differs from the plant growing in the Malayan Peninsula, in
the partial inflorescences having far more numerous spikes, and furnished with a
rather elongate pedicellar part, and especially in the indumentum covering the
corolla, which is formed by small flattened pellucid appressed scales, and not by
thickish hairs. Heyne’s sterile specimens No. 20 bis from Bandjermassin are evi-
dently conspecific with Winkler's_ No. 2401, but belong to younger plants ; they
have trigonous, densely prickly leaf-sheaths, about 9 em. in diameter, with rather
obtuse angles ; the naked stem however is rather sharply trigonous ; the petiole is
rather elongate and trigonous. -
Other specimens from Bandjermassin (Herb. Bogor. No. 20) which I consider
as belonging to stil younger plants than the foregoing, have slender, acutely
trigonous, leaf-sheaths with the sides only 8—12 mm. wide, and the angles very
slightly prickly or almost smooth; at the mouth the sheaths have on the. side
opposite to the petiole a ligula somewhat elongate and perishable; the petiole is
rather elongate and trigonous ; the pinniferous part has very few leaflets, and ends
in a slender rudimentary cirrus; the leaflets have no bristles on the mid-costa, and
are provided with 3—4 secondary nerves on each side of it. Apparently the young
plants of this Plectomiopsis are much less prickly than the adult.
54 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. wrayi.
I scarcely doubt that to the same variety of Plectocomiopsis is to be reduced
Calamus triqueter Bece. (P. B. No. 2079). The specimen upon which this species
was established is very similar to those described abova ; its rather. sharply trigonous
Sheathed stem has the 3 sides or faces smooth, slightly convex, 15—18 mm. wide,
and the angles prickly; the leaflets have a secondary nerve on each side of the
mid-eosta more distinct than the other nerves, so as to render these leaflets
almost 3-costulate.
Prate 33.—Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus var. borneensis Bece.—An entire female
partial inflorescence with nearly fully developed flowers. Intermediate portion of a
leaf. From Winkler No. 2401.
PLate 34.—Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus var. borneensis Becc.—The entire speci-
men P. B. No. 2079, the type of Calamus triqueter Becc. in Herb. Becc.
2. PLEcrocomiorsis Wrayir Becc. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 480.
. PI. geminiflorus (non Griff.) Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 214 (partly).
Description.—Rather slender. and very highly scandent. Sheathed stem of the
flowering end 18—22 mm. in. diameter, obsoletely 3-gonous. Leaf-sheaths not gibbous
above, passing very suddenly into the petiole, exactly truneate horizontally at the
mouth, of a light colour, very slightly scurfy at first, later glabrescent, sparingly
armed with very short, conical, sharp, scattered, pale prickles, or almost smooth ;
no trace of ocrea or ligula. Leaves of the flowering end provided with a petiolar
part 8—14 em. long, 8—10 mm. wide, flattish and slightly furrowed along the centre
above. underneath convex and armed along the centre with distant spines, the
margins acute and armed with similar distant short, broad-based spines; the rhachis
is thinly and fugaciously rusty furfuraceous below, and armed there with distant,
at first single, and upwards geminate and then ternate claws; it is concave along
the centre in its lower portion, and above upward it has a salient smooth acute
angle, and is trigonous in transverse section; the cirrus is elongate and armed at
regular intervals with half whorls of claws. The pinniferous part, in leaves of the
flowering end, is 0°70 .em.—1. m. long, is shorter in the uppermost leaves and in
the lower. ones almost certainly is longer. Leaflets rather numerous, equidistant,
papyraceous, very narrowly lanceolate, largest about their middle, and thence gradually
and almost equally narrowing towards both ends, very gradually long-acuminate
from about the middle to a very fine capillary smooth or very slightly spinulous
tip; the base acute and more or less callous at its axilla; both surfaces green, the
lower slightly paler and duller than the upper and under a strong lens, very
minutely, though not very distinctly dotted; the mid-costa is slender, usually
slightly bristly towards the end on the upper surface; secondary nerves 5—6 on
each side of the mid-costa, but frequently hardly distinguishable from the tertiary
ones, rather strong and numerous; transverse veinlets short, very sharp on the
upper surface; margins not or only very slightly thickened and quite smooth; the
intermediate leaflets are the largest, 30—35 cm. long and 2 cm. wide, those of
both ends gradually smaller; the leaves belonging to the uppermost branches of the
inflorescence are gradually reduced to the sheaths only, and to the rhachises bearing
P. wrayi. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS, 55
a few very narrowly linear rudimentary leaflets, and terminating in a slender clawed
gradually shorter cirrus. . The male inflorescence forms a rather large compound
terminal panicle, composed of several branches or partial inflorescences, each issuing
from the axilla of a reduced leaf; a branch, apparently one of the lowest, is about
50 em. long, those of the end of the panicle are gradually smaller; the branches
have a rather robust arched main axis, and are sheathed by spathes bearing in:
their axillas the spicigerous branchlets. The spathes of the main axis are
greenish even when dry, tubular infundibuliform, closely sheathing, 15—20 mm. long
in the exposed part, finely striate, puberulous, almost horizontally truncate at their
mouths and produced at one side into a triangular acute or acuminate point.
The. spikelet-bearing branchlets are inserted near the bottom of their respective
spathes through a flattened pedicellar part, and are variable in length according to
the position they occupy on the partial inflorescences; the largest branchlets are
25 cem. long and bear distichally 18—20 spikelets on each side; others are much
shorter, and have proportionally fewer flowers; spathes of tle branchlets rusty-
furfuraceous, especially in their basal part, finely striately veined, infundibuliform,
their mouths rather wide, truncate, ciliate on the margin and produced at one side
into a triangular acute or acuminate point. Male spikelets scorpioid, inserted a
little inside the mouth of their respective spathes; the lowest and largest are
10—12 mm. long, and have the flowers in two series, each composed of 7—8
assurgent, closely packed flowers; upper spikelets gradually smaller, and with fewer
flowers ; spathels ringent, bracteiform, acuminate from a broad concave base; involucre
shallowly concave, bidentate on the side next to the axis, or as if it were
formed by two braets connate by their bases; spathels and involucra strongly
striately veined, iliate and slightly hairy seurfy. Male flowers terete, slightly
clavate, obtusely apiculate, 5 mm. long, 1 mm. thick; the calyx urceolate-cam-
panulate, of a thickish texture, glabrous, not striately veined, shortly and broadly
3-toothed, the teeth either acute or bluntish ; the corolla twice as long as the
calyx, solid in its lower part, divided in its. upper third into 3 semi-oval acute
and thickish lobes; stamens biseriate; the filaments are placed at the upper third
part of the corolla, have a thick almost bulbous base and a very suddenly inflexed .
subulate apex; anthers broad and Short, subdidymous, the cells obtuse at both
ends and introrse ; rudimentary ovary represented by 3 very small subulate papille.
Female inflorescence apparently smaller than the male, and with shorter and less
branched partial inflorescences; the one seen by me is about 20 em. long, and has
5 flower-bearing branchlets; the main axis is sinuous, its spathes are tubular-
infundibuliform, closely sheathing, flat at the base on the side-of the insertion of
the branchlets; the branchlets are 8—13 cm. long, thickish (3 mm. at the base)
zig-zag sinuous, have the spathels angular, shortly infundibuliform, suddenly expanded
into a bracteiform, spreading, triangular, acute limb. Spikelets reduced to only one
pair of flowers at each spathel, not accompanied by neuter ones; the pairs of flowers
are alternate, distichous and 8—10 on each side of the branchlets; no
involucrophorum is visible; involucre flat, triangular-trilobed, striately veined, the
lobes acute. Female flowers about 1 em. long, narrowly ovoid-elliptical, conical
in the upper part; calyx of a thick texture, cupular-campanulate, obsoletely veined,
broadly 3-lobed, the lobes bluntish ; the corolla about twice as long as the calyx,
thick and very hard, almost woody, finely striately veined and very minutely -
56 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. dubius.
papillose outside, tubular-ventricose, divided in its upper fourth into 3 semi-ovate
apieulate lobes; filaments of the stamens united to form a tube adnate to the
undivide part of the corolla, free above and parted into 6 very thick, short lobes
of which 3 are longer than the other 3; all furnished with well conformed
cordate-subdidymous anthers, giving to the flowers the appearance of being herma-
phrodite ; ovary oblong, bearing above a ring of relatively large scales and terminated
by 3 thick conical stigmas. Fruit globular-turbinate (when thoroughly mature), briefly
conieally beaked ; scales in about 24 vertical series, faintly grooved along the centre,
dull, einnamon-brown with a darker intramarginal line, and pale finely ciliate margins
and bluntish apices. Fruiting perianth not accrescent but becoming woody; the
corolla, and the connate staminal tube splitting into irregular very thick lobes.
Hapirat.—The Malay Peninsula: Sufigei Larut plain in the district of Perak
(L. Wray Jun. No. 2421, male plant, and No. 2422 with female flowers—in Herb.
Mus. Perak and Cale.; and King’s collector No. 5282 Herb. Calc., specimen . with
young fruits) Probably to P. Wray belongs a specimen from a young plant
collected by ^ Seortechin? (No. 457b in Herb. Becc.) also in the distriet of Perak,
along rivers in wet-ground ; native name “ Rotang tiga saki” meaning the “ trigonous
Rotang."
Osservations.—It is evidently related to P. geminiflorus, but quite distinct by
its leaves (even those of the uppermost part of the plant), having a rather elongate
petiolar part ; by the spadices being considerably smaller and having thinner flowering
branches; but especially by the flowers both male and female: the male being very
narrow Mid clavate, the female elongate-elliptical and acute, and with the staminal
tube almost entirely connate with the corolla; and finally it differs by the smaller
fruit, having fewer series of scales.
Scortechini’s specimen No. 457, mentioned above, is taken from a young plant;
the sheathed stem has 3 distinct although rather obtuse angles, the faces are 15 mm.
wide and slightly convex and sprinkled with short conical prickles ; the naked cane
is also trigonous with the faces 1 em. wide. In the first state of their life it seems
impossible to distinguish P. Wrayi from P. geminiflorus, for certainly both at that
time have trigonous stems. In P. Wrayii that abnormal shape of the stem is main-
tained also, although rather faintly, in the terminal part of the plant.
PLATE. 35.—Plecvocomiopsis Wrayii Becc.— One of the male partial inflorescence
(wanting the end). ‘The type specimen Wray No. 241 in the Calcutta Herbarium.
Puare. 36.—Plectocomiopsis Wrayii Becc.—One of the female partial inflores-
cences. From the type specimen No. 2422 in the Herbarium at Calcutta. Young
fruits and a detached fruiting perianth. From King’s collector No. 5282 in the
Caleutta Hebarium.
3. PLecrocomiorsis DUBIUS Bece. sp. n.—
P. geminiflorus (non Bece.) Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. "NEL n. 214. \
Descriprion.—A large climber, 20 or more metres tall (Ridley). Sheathed stem
very obsoletely trigonous, 3°5 cm. in diameter in the specimen seen by me. Leaf-
sheaths not puckered above, very suddenly passing into the petiole, truncate exactly
P. dubius. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS. 5T
horizontally at the mouth, of a light colour, at first very slightly scurfy, later
glabrescent, armed rather densely with very short conical, sharp, scattered, pale
prickles ; no trace of ocrea or ligula. Leaves moderately large; the one seen by me
apparently belonging to the intermediate part of the plant, has a rather elongate
petiolar part, 15 mm. broad, slightly scurfy, flattish above and furrowed along the
centre, convex underneath and armed along the dorsum with distant small spines ;
the margins acute and provided with distant, short, broad-based spines; the rhachis
of the pinniferous part is thinly rusty-furfuraceous, especially beneath, where armed
with distant, at first single, then geminate, and finally 3-nate claws; it is concave
above along the centre in its lower portion, and is trigonous in transverse section
upwards; the cirrus is very long, and armed at very regular intervals with half-
whorls of not very strong claws. Leaflets numerous, equidistant, 5—6 cm. apart on
each side, firmly papyraceous, lanceolate, largest about their middle, gradually and
almost equally narrowing towards both ends with the base acute and more or less
callous at its axila and underneath, gradually acuminate from above the middle
upwards to a very fine, capillary, slightly bristly tip, glossy above, slightly paler
and dull on the undersurface, which is closely sprinkled with very minute pale
dots, visible only under a lens; the mid-costa is slender, smooth or oecasionally
furnished with 1—2 straggling spinules ; the secondary nerves are numerous, 10—12
on each side of the mid-costa, unequal and connected by sharp transverse veinlets ;
margins not or only very slightly thickened, quite smooth ; the intermediate leaflets
are 45—38 cm. long, 3—4 cm. broad; the upper leaflets gradually diminish in size,
until the uppermost are reduced to the sheath and rhachis only, the latter bearing
few very narrowly linear leaflets and terminating in a slender clawed, gradually
shortened cirrus. The male infloresence is a large compound terminal panicle, composed
of several branches or partial inflorescences, each issuing from the axilla of a reduced
leaf; one of the branches (apparently one of the lowest) is about 65 em. long, has
a rather robust arched main axis, and is sheathed by spathes bearing in their
axillas pendulous, slender, flaccid spikelet-bearing branchlets. The spathes of the
main axis are greenish even when dry, tubular-infundibuliform, closely sheath-
ing, about 15 mm. long in the exposed part, finely striate, puberulous, almost
horizontally truncate at their mouths, and produced at one side into a triangular
acute or acuminate point. The spikelet-bearing branchlets are inserted near the
bottom of their respective spathes through a flattened pedicellar part, are of vari-
able length, according to the dimension of and the position they occupy on the
partial’ inflorescences ; the largest are 30—45 cm. long and bear distantly up to
30—35 spikelets on each side; others are only 10—15 em. long with proportionally
fewer spikelets; spathes of the branchlets slightly scaly-scurfy, striately
veined, infundibuliform, the mouths rather wide, truncate, ciliate on the margin and
produced at one side into a triangular subulate point. Male spikelets scorpioid,
inserted a little inside the mouth of their respective spathes ; the lowest and
largest spikelets 10—12 mm. long, bearing the flowers in 2 series, each series being
composed of 8—10 slightly assurgent, closely packed flowers; upper spikelets
gradually smaller and with fewer flowers; spathels ringent, bracteiform, acuminate
from a broad concave base; involucre shallow, concave, bidentate on the side, next
to the axis, or as if it were formed by two bracts connate by their bases;
spathels and involuera strongly striately veined, ciliate and slightly hairy-seurfy.
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA. VoL. XII.
58 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. paradoxus.
Male flowers very small, about 2 mm. long (when not full grown) ovoid, acute;
the calyx 3-toothed, strongly striately veined; the corolla deeply parted into 3
ovate lobes; stamens. connate by their bases; filaments very thick.
Hanrrar.—The Malay Peninsula at Rantau Panjang in the State of Selangor.
Collected by Ridley in August 1904, No. 12119, (specimen with not fully deve-
loped male flowers.
OBsERVATIONS.—It is a very imperfectly known and doubtful species, only the
spadices of the male plant having been as yet collected, and these bearing flowers
not fully developed. Therefore the specimens upon which the species is established
are not exactly comparable with those of P. Wrays, to which P. dubius seems how-
ever closely related. We may even suppose that P. dubius represents a juvenile
stage of P. Wrayii, from which it apparently differs in the flowers having a strong-
ly striately veined calyx, and in the corolla ovate and deeply parted, if its shape
does not change when it attains its full development ; further the leaflets of
P. dubius have apparently far more secondary nerves than those of P. Wrayit, and
are more distinctly dotted underneath. In conclusion; P. dubius, established on
Ridley’s No. 12119, must be considered as yet as a dogbitul species, but certainly
not referable to P. geminiflorus as has been stated by Ridley (l. e). In Ridley's
description of P. geminiflorus are incorporated characteristics not only belonging to
that plant, but also to P. dubius and to P. Wrayit.
Pirate 37.—Plectocomiopsis dubius Bece.—Portion of the sheathed stem of the
flowering plant; an entire partial inflorescence with young male flowers; intermediate
portion of a leaf. From Ridley's No. 12119 in Herb. Becc.
Latin Diagnosis.—Plectocomiopsis dubius Becc. sp. nov. Robustus, caudice
vaginato obtuse trigono, ultrapollieari ; vaginis crebre aculeis breviter conicis
sparsis armatis; frondibus longiuscule petiolatis, segmentis numerosis, aequidistanti-
bus, nervis secundariis pluribus percursis, punctis exiguis numerosis subtus
obsitis ; spadice paniculato, amplo, ramis spicigeris numerosis gracilibus; floribus
parvis ovoideis acutis, calyce conspicue striato-venoso.
4. PLECrocomiopsis? PARADOXUS Becc. in Hook f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 480.
Calamus paradoxus Kurz in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xlii (1874)/213, t.
© XXIX, XXX and For. FI. Brit. Burma, ii, 521.
Descrrption.—Scandent and rather large. Sheathed stem 2°5—5 cm. in diameter.
Leaf-sheaths not gibbous above, gradually passing into the petiole, having no ocrea
or ligula at the mouth, finely striate, covered with a thin, pale rusty-furfuraceous
probably fugacious coating, armed with interrupted series or half circles, 2—3 em.
apart, of confluent, pectinate, slender, straight, flattened, yellows, deflexed spines.
Leaves about 1'5 m. long in the pinniferous part and terminating in a powerfully
clawed cirrus; petiole very short, flat above, convex beneath, armed beneath at the
sides -and along the middle with straight spines; rhachis flat above in its lower
portion, obsoletely bifaced with a very obtuse but salient angle higher up, roundish
beneath and armed there in its lower pari, along the dorsum. with recurved spines,
which are gradually transformed above into stout 2—3-nate claws, becoming in the
P. paradoxus. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS. 59
cirrus half or three quarter whorled, almost regularly, at the distances of 3—4 em.
without other spines interposed. Leaflets not numerous, about twenty in one specimen ;
the lowest and uppermost much reduced in size or rudimentary ; very unequidistant,
usually in pairs on each side of the rhachis; the pairs of one side irregularly
alternating with those of the other side, and seta long vacant spaces interposed ;
they are narrowly lanceolate, tapering below to an acute base, gradually acuminate
above to a fine, often elongated tip, thinly papyraceous, almost equally green on
both surface, but marked underneath with very minute pale dots (microlepidia) ;
have the mid-costa slender, almost equally prominent on both surfaces, and accompanied
by 4—5 fine secondary nerves on each side ; tertiary nerves numerous; along
both margins runs a nerve about as strong as "th mid-costa ; transverse veinlets
visible only by transmitted light; all nerves are devoid of bed or spinules ;
margins appressedly spinulous ; of the intermediate leaflets, the largest are 30—40 em.
long, and about 3 cm. wide. Male spadix large and ultradecompound ; the
branches seen by me form rather loose panicles 20—40 cm. long, are completely
unarmed in every part. and carry distichally and alternately, on each side, 5—8
gradually decreasing spikelet-bearing branchlets, each of which issues erect
from the mouth of its respective spathe, but soon becomes arched and spreading;
the secondary spathes Ze. the spathes of the branches are infundibuliform,
loosely sheathing, striately veined, entirely glabrous, truncate and ciliate at their
mouths and produced at one side into a triangular acuminate point. The
spikelet-bearmg branchlets gradually decrease upwards, the lowest and largest
12—20 cm. long, and carrying distichally 7—9 spikelets on each side; the
spikelets in the dry specimens are uniformly brown, glabrous in every part,
scorpioid, some of them at times subdivided, all very short, the lowest the largest,
10—12 mm. long, and shortening towards the end of the branchlets; they have
two series of closely packed assurgent flowers, each series composed of 5—6
flowers, fewer in the uppermost spikelets. | Spathels bracteiform, membranous
concave, acute at one side, all but completely embracing the floral involucre; the
latter is rather deep, obliquely truncate, flat on the axial side, and sharply 2-keeled
at one side, each keel ending in an acute tooth. Male flowers ovoid-subtrigonous,
narrowing toward the base, acute, 4—5 mm. long; the calyx deeply parted into
3 ovate, rather acute lobes (the lobes remaining on the axial side acutely keeled),
` striately-veined, the margins hyaline; the corolla twice as long as the calyx, divided
in its lower third into 3 segments, thinly cartilaginous, striately-veined, apiculate
and with thick margins. Stamens 6; the filaments united together in their lowest
part, broadly linear or nearly oblong, thick and fleshy in the free part, which is
about as long as the segments of the corolla, nearly capitellate a little below the
apex, and from that point very suddenly introflexed, subulate and very slender.
Anthers erect in the prafloration, inserted about their middle, linear-sagittate, rather
acute, narrower than the broadened part of the filaments, and almost encased in
these, the anther cells deeply divided at the base. Rudimentary ovary very minute.
Female spadix and fruit unknown.
HanirrAT.—Pegu. The male plant only was collected by Kurz in the forest of
Palawa Zeik (Toukyeghat) in Martaban to the east of Tounghoo, flowering in April
(Kurz No. 1475. in the Herbaria of Kew, Petrograd and Calcutta). Native name
" Yamatha Khyeing."
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII
60 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. ;P. floribundus.
OssERVATIONS.—The habit of this palm is that of a Plectocomia, the leaf-sheaths
not being puckered above, gradually passing into the petiole, and not having ocrea
or ligula at the mouth. Tlie stem and leaves are very much like the correspond-
ing parts of Myrialepîs Scortechinit, and the leaves, as in it, have also the lower
‘surface covered with microlepidia. Its generic position, as that of P. floribundus
remains uncertain because their female flowers and fruits are unknown, and because
in many respects P. paradorus and P. floribundus more resemble Myrialepis Scorte-
chini than. Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus and P. Wrayu.
P. paradoxus is characterized by its leaves with grouped lanceolate leaflets, having
all nerves smooth and being dotted with mierolepidia underneath, and by the
peculiar structure of the male flowers. It is certainly a palm with terminal definite
inflorescence.
PLate 38.—Plectocomiopsis paradoxus .(Kurz) Bece.—Upper part of a flowering
male partial inflorescence. From one of the typical specimens in the Herbarium
at Petrograd.
5. PLEcrocomropsis? rLoRiBUNDUS Bece. in Webbia, iii, (1910) 239.
DescripTion.—Scandent and of moderate size. Leaf-sheaths marked by the depres-
sions stamped upon them by the spines during the prefoliation, covered with an
adherent dark-brown or rusty-furfuraceous scurf, and armed with obliquely seriate,
slender, acicular, light coloured spines, frequently confluent by their bases and 10—12
mm. long: at most. Leaves (apparently belonging to adult plants) 1 m. long (at
times even more?) in the pinniferous part; the petiolar part very short, thickish
2—4 cm. long, 1 em. broad, concave on the upper, convex on the lower surface.
armed on the outer margins with straight spines; on its back the spines are
straight, often geminate or ternate and deflexed ; the rhachis on the upper surface
of itg lower portion is convex, and from the midi upwards has two faces separated
by a not very sharp salient angle; at times it is spinulous on the sides; on the
lower surface, lower down along the centre, it is armed with a line of straight
deflexed, often geminate spines, which higher up are gradually transformed into
rather robust claws at first geminate, then ternate and finally regularly half whorled ;
in the cirrus both petiole and rhachis covered with a. thin tobacco-coloured indu-
mentum, later partially deciduous. Leadets about 30 in all (besides a few rudimentary
at the upper end) very distinctly approximate in fascicles of 2—3 on each side
of the rhachis, the fascicles of one side being almost opposite to those of the other
side, and forming ou the whole 5—6 very distinet groups, separaied by long vacant
spaces ; the leaflets are papyraceous; ‘more or less narrowly lanceolate, broadest below
the middle, tapering thence to an acute, strongly plicate base, and narrowing above
to a gradually acuminate and finely subulate tip; are equally green on both surfaces
but on the lower surface are distinctly dotted with very minute orbicular pale
microlepidia ; the mid-costa is slender and on each side of it are 5—6 very slender
secondary nerves ; transverse veinlets short, immersed in the parenchyma and visible
only by anita light ; both margins conspicuously thickened and frequently armed
with distant, pale, short, spreading, at times conspicuous spinules, otherwise quite
smooth ; the intermediate leaflets (the largest) mostly 20—30 em. long, sometimes
P. floribundus. | PLECTOCOMIOPSIS.' 61
less, and 2°5—3 cm. wide, but in non-eirriferous leaves up to 50—55 cm. in length,
though not broader; the remaining leaflets,. from the middle of the rhachis upwards,
and also those nearer to the base, becoming gradually smaller. Male spadix appa-
rently large, ultra-decompound (not seen entire by me); the summit of one (or of a
partial inflorescence ?) is 40 em. long and forms a large rather dense panicle, composed
of several (about 12 in all) gradually shortening, distichally inserted (primary ?)
branches, distinctly arched scorpioid, as are its subdivisions ; spathes (secondary Or
tertiary ?) elongate-infundibuliform, glabrous, very finely striately veined, almost
horizontally truncate at the mouth and abruptly extended at one side into a trian-
gular acuminate point; branches (secondary?) inserted inside their respective spathes
by means of a distinct, flattened pedicellar part: the lower branches (the largest)
25—30 cm. long, with 18—20 gradually diminishing spikelet-bearing branchlets ;
their spathes are infundibuhform, as are also the secondary or tertiary ones, but
smaller, loosely sheathing, widening and glabrous in their upper part, narrowing below
and strongly furfuraceous at the base; the lower branchlets of every branch are
7—8 em. long, and carry distichally 8—10 spikelets on each side ; upper branchlets
gradually shorter and with fewer spikelets; the spathes of the branchlets are
infundibuliform, have a very wide mouth, truncate and ciliate, and produced at one
side into a triangular point; are strongly striately veined ; have the base narrow and
furfuraeeous ; otherwise are glabrous. . Sp/kelets conspicuously scorpioid, 8—10 mm.
long. or shorter towards the end of the branchlets, bearing two series of very
closely packed assurgent flowers, each series composed of 4—6 flowers; spathels
bracteiform, membranous, concave, keeled, strongly striately veined, acuminate
from a broad base and completely embracing the involucre; the latter concave,
sub-dimidiately cupular, produced on the side next to the axis into 2 very
acuminate points. Male flowers rather broadly ovoid. acute, obsoletely
trigonous, 3 mm. long; the calyx membranous, split almost to the base into
3, ovate, strongly striately veined, acute lobes; the corolla about one-half times
longer than the calyx, parted almost to the base into 3 elliptical, boat -shaped,
pergamentaceous segments, strongly striate externally, slightly thickened at the edges,
and with a callous apiculum ; the stamens have the lower part of the filaments
fleshy and thickish, about as long as the corolla, linear-oblong and united together
in their lower third part, where they form a kind of cup; the lower and rela-
tively broad and fleshy part of the filaments is very abruptly contracted into an
introflexed, very slender subulate thread (shorter than the thickened part) which
carries the anther ; the anthers stand erect before the anthesis, and are dorsilly
attached about their middle, elongate-sagittate, narrower than the erect basal part
of the filament, deeply disjunct at the base, rather acute at the apex, and having
the cells opening laterally.. Rudimentary ovary very small, papilliform. —O:her
parts unknown.
HanrrAT.—Indo-China. In Cambodia (Gourgaud); native name * Pfdau-ch s;"
specimen with male flowers in the Paris Herbarium. Collected also in Cochin-.
China in a sterile condition by Dr. Thorel, but the exact locality not stated.
Sterile specimens were also collected between Saigon and Phantiet by Lecomte
and Finet in Dec. 1911.
62 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. floribundus,
OssERvATIONS.—Apparently closely related to P. paradoxus, but with leaflets very
distinctly grouped (whereas in P. paradoxus they are simply unequidistant) and with
flowers .at least.one-third larger, narrower and more acute than in P. paradoxus.
Both species have the leaflets sprinkled underneath with pale dots. One of the
specimens collected by Lecomte and Finet has a leaf from an adult plant terminated '
by a long clawed cirrus. Another leaf is not cirriferous, and the rhachis
is armed with 3—5-nate, straight, deflexed spines ; the lower leaflets are 50—55
em. long. very long-aeuminate, have the margins distinctly thickened and ciliate
with pale spines, often conspicuous, and in pairs, oecasionally 5—6 mm. long.
I have referred this Palm to the genus Plectocomiopsis, but like P. paradoxus
it shows marked affinities with Myrialepis, and its generic position can be- fixed
with certainty only when the female flowers and fruit shall be known.
Prate 39.—Plectocomiopsis floribundus Bece.—The end of an inflorescence
(partial ?) and intermediate portion of a leaf. From Gourgaud’s specimen in the
Paris Herbarium.
MYRIALEPIS. 63
MYRIALEPIS Becc.
Becc. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 480.
A large, scandent, dicecious, monocarpic Palm. Inflorescence terminal, composed
of several branches, each of which proceeds from the leaf-sheath of a reduced leaf.
Leaves of the adult plant cirriferous, having the leaf-sheaths non-gibbous above,
gradually passing into the petiole, and without ocrea or ligula at their mouths.
Leafle's straight, acuminate, unicostulate with several secondary nerves, and besprinkled
with microlepidia on the under surface ;. the margins slightly thickened. Male
inflorescence large, several times branched; all the branches provided with tightly
sheathing spathes. » Male spikelets short, scorpioid, furnished with spathellulas and
involucra as in Calamus. Male flowers . . . Female spadix very different
from the male, and less divided. ‘Spikelet- TRAE branches provided with short
infundibuliform spathes ; spikelets very few-flowered, inserted just at the mouth of
their respective spathes. Female flowers are solitary at each spathel, provided with
only one cupular involucre unaccompanied by a neutral flower and globular-
ovoid during the anthesis; the calyx deeply 3-lobed; the corolla deeply 93-parted ;
the stamens forming with the broadened bases of the filaments a nearly entirely
free membranous cup, with 6 radiating anther-bearing teeth; the anthers sterile,
sagittate. Ovary globose, 3-locular, covered with very minute rudimentary scales ;
the cells uniovylate ; ovule anatropous, basilar; stigmas -short and thick, trigonous,
at first connivent, later divaricate. Fruit globose, having the pericarp fragile and
covered with innumerable irregularly set, extremely minute scales. Seed solitary,
globose, having. a scanty integument and an even surface; chalazal fovea punctiform,
apical; embryo basal; albumen equable.
The genus Myrialepis is especially characterized by the male spadix being
larger and considerably more branched than the female; by the female flowers
being solitary at each spathel, furnished with only one involucre and not accom-
panied by a neuter flower; otherwise on the; whole the female flower of Myrialepis
is very much like that of Plectocomiopsis; but above all it is characterized by the
fruit being clothed with extremely minute, not regularly or seriately set, almost
tuberculiform scales. (In my monograph of Calamus vol. XL, p. 29 of these Annals)
I have made mention of Myrialepis in regard to the nature of the scales that cover
the pericarp).
Myrialepis is certainly allied under several aspects to Plectocomiopsis, but the
female flowers in the two genera are widely different. Moreover in Plectocomiopsis
the scales clothing the truit although very numerous, are nevertheless regularly
arranged in orthostichies and parastichies, whereas in Myrialepis no order exists
and it would be vain to attempt to count them. Only one species of ' Mwrialepis
is with certainty known. I have, however, already remarked that Plectocomiopsis
paradoxus and P. floribundus may possibly be referable to Myrialepis ; but the male
flowers of Myrialepis are not known and of the two other species mentioned the
female flowers and fruit are wanting; such a circumstance renders a rigorous
comparison between them impossible.
64 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. M. scortechinii.
Description or PLate II B.
Fig. 1- 7. Myrialepis Scortechinii Bece—Fig. 1. Spikelet with female flowers
in Lad. —Fig. 2. One of the flowers from the spikelet above.—Fig. 3. Female flower
during the anthesis.—Fig. 4. Ovary from a flower not yet open.—Fig. 5. Ovary
"with its sterile androecium from a flower during the anthesis—Fig. 6. Longitudinal
section of the ovary.—Fig. 7. Transverse section of the ovary. All figures enlarged.
MyrriaLeris ScortecHINII Becc. in Hook f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 480.
Plectocomiopsis annulatus Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mat. Penins. ii, 213 (The male plant).
Plectocomiopsis Scortechinii Ridley l. c. (Fruit).
DescrIPTION—A very high scandent palm of the habit of a Plectocomia.
Sheathed stem 5—6 cm. in diameter (and at times more), terete even in the young
plants. Leaf-sheaths thickly coriaceous, non-gibbous above, gradually passing into
the petiole, strongly striate longitudinally, armed in young plants with complete.
oblique whorls of robust, flattened, pale spines, 3—4 cm. loug, confluent by their
bases ; in the adult plant the spines form short series of 4—5 or also half rings
on the sides; along the dorsum the spineg are in groups of 3—5 with the spino
in the centre longer than the others; no trace of ocrea or ligula at the mouth.
Leaves large, terminated by a robust clawed cirrus; petiole more or less elongate,
robust, concave above, convex beneath; its margins more or less spinulous; the
dorsum is armed, like the first portion of the rhachis, with straight, robust, deflexed
spines, single or ternate; the rhachis in its lower portion is shallowly channelled
‘above, but higher up becomes subterete or obsoletely angular, and is armed along
the dorsum with robust spines, at first straight, single or digitate with the central
spine longer than “the others, but finally transformed into half or three quarter
whorls of very robust claws. Leaflets numerous, unequidistant, in alternate or
opposite groups of 2—3 on each side of the rhachis, with vacant spaces of variable
length interposed between the groups, lanceolate, almost equally narrowing towards
‘both ends, the base acute, the tip acuminate, regular or very obsoletely indented
2—3 cm. below the apex, papyraceous, green on both surfaces but besprinkled
underneath with very minute pale dots (microlepidia); the mid-costa slender, almost
equally prominent on both surfaces and accompanied by 5—6 fine secondary nerves
on each side of it, often not much more distinct than another nerve interposed
between each of them; along both margins runs a nerve about as strong as. the
mid-costa ; transverse veinlets indistinct ; all nerves are without bristles or spinules ;
the margins are slightly ciliate-spinulous from above the middle only; the largest
leaflets are 35—40 cm. long, 3—5'5 cm. wide. The leaves of the upper part of the
plant are gradually smaller; those immediately below the inflorescence are reduced
to the sheath and rhachis only, bearing a few linear leaflets and terminated by
a short clawed cirrus. Male inflorescence large and several times branched; spathes
tubular-infundibuliform, soon perishable ; the branches of the third or fourth degree
carry several spikelet-bearing gradually decreasing branchlets, of which the lowest
are 6—7 cm. long and carry distichally 8—10 spikelets on each side; upper bran-
chlets shorter with fewer spikelets; the spathels of the branchlets are infundibular,
M. scortechinii. MYRIALEPSIS. 65
angular, obliquely truncate at the mouth, and produced at one side into a triangular
acute or acuminate point. Spikelets small, scorpioid, gradually decreasing in length
and number of flowers, the lower and largest 10 mm. long carry two collateral
series, of 6—8 assurgent flowers each; spathels small, very approximate, concave, acute
at one side; involucre cupular, shallow, with 3 acute teeth. Male flower...
Female inflorescence large, composed of several branches (partial inflorescences) 30—40
em. long or shorter, each of which proceeds from the sheath of a greatly reduced leaf,
and carries distichally 5—7 or fewer spikelet-bearing branchlets; the main axis
is sinuous; the secondary spathes are slightly infundibuliform, flat at the base on
the inner side, unarmed, striately-veined, almost horizontally truncate at the mouth,
produced at one side into a triangular acuminate point; branchlets spreading or
recurved inserted just at the mouth of their respective spathes ; the lowest and largest
10—16 cm. long, and bearing 8—10 spikelets on each side ; the upper speedily
decreasing in length and number of spikelets; spathes of the branchlets similar to
those of the main axis, but smaller, fugaciously ciliate-furfuraceous on the margin ;
sptkelets scorpioid, inserted just at the mouth of their respective spathes, composed
of only 3—5 flowers; the spathellules are bracteiform, concave, produced at one
side into a triangular acuminate point, embrace the special and the only existing
involucre of the flowers, are shallowly cupular, almost explanate, trigonous 3-toothed,
2-keeled on the axial side, and not showing any trace of the insertion of a neuter
flower. Before the anthesis the Jemale-flowers are about 8 mm. long, ovoid, trigonous&
pyramidate above, have the ovary provided with a broad ring of very minute
points (the rudiments of the scales) spreading and later deflexed ; during the
anthesis the female flowers are globular-ovoid, 7—8 mm. long, 6 mm. across; the
calyx is deeply parted nearly to the base into 3 broadly triangular, striately
veined, very acute segments; the staminodes form with the broadened connate bases
of the filaments a shallow membranous cup, connate only at the base with the
undivided part of the corolla and radiately divided into 6 deltoid teeth, each
terminated by a rudimentary sagittate anther; the 3 alternipetal teeth are
conspicuous between the segments of the corolla; the anthers have the apex and
the aurieles acute; ovary globose, 3-locular, very densely and minutely covered with
the small rudimentary scales; stigmas short. -very thickly trigonous, divergent ;
ovules’ basilar. Fruit monospermous, “globular, slightly * depressed, .26—28 mm. in
diameter, having the top round and marked by the very minute’ punctiform scar
left by the stigmas, covered by innumerable extremely minute, subtuberculiform,
irregularly imbricate scales, about ‘5 mm. wide and prolonged into very acuminate
straight appressed tips. The pericarp on the whole is about 1 mm. thick, and
coriaceous. Seed transversely oblong and depressed. 18x25 mm. in diameter, 15
mm. high in one specimen, covered by a thin erustaceous, adherent (once slightly
fleshy ?) integument, otherwise its surface even and marked only by a small
punctiform apical chalazal fovea; albumen homogeneous ; embryo basal. Fruiting
perianth persistent, broadly campanulate; the calyx slightly thickened and with a
callous base.
Hazirat.—The Malay Peninsula and probably also Sumatra. The type- speci-
men is a small branchlet bearing a few mature fruits, collected by Scortechini in the
District of Perak. Scortechini collected’ also in the same district some sterile
ANN. Roy. Bor GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
66. ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. M. scortechinii.
specimens of. this Palm, from a nearly adult “plant (No. 513" in Herb. ^ Becc.)
Native name “Perwal.” I have also a sterile specimen collected by Fr. Keheding
at Malacca. Since then it has been found by Ridley with female flowers and fruits
in Singapore at Bukit Mandai (No. 5680 in Herb. Cale. and Bece.: 5860 in Ridley
l. c.?) and in the garden jungle (Ridley No. 12500 with female flowers in Herb:
Bece.). The male plant is represented by Ridleys No. 11457 (in Herb. Becc.)
also from Singapore at Bukit Timah. Some sterile specimens of. a Palm collected
by Heyne in East Sumatra at Palembang (No. 20 Herb. Bogor.) and in Lampong
(No. 120 Herb. Bogor.) apparently are referable to Myrialepis Seortechinü.
Osservations.—It is a very distinct Palm, which, especially when young, re-
sembles a Plectocomia, from which however it is easily distinguishable, even in a
sterile condition, by its leaflets being distinctly sprinkled on the lower surface with
pale microlepidia, which are invariably wanting in the Plectocomias. The male in-
florescence differs considerably from the female one. I have described it from the
same specimens which were considered by Ridley (No. 11457) as belonging to Plecto-
comiopsis annulatus; the inflorescence in these specimens is withered, being apparently
of a very perishable nature, and not one flower was left. To the same P. annulatus
Ridley has referred his No. 12500, which bears female flowers in no way distin-
guishable from those of his No. 5680 (or 5860 ?) which he really considers as
representing my Myrialepis Scortechinii, which it certainly does.
- The specimens from Sumatra, which I doubtfully refer to Myrialepis Scorte-
chimüi, are represented by several portions of a very large leaf; the leaf-sheath is
7 em. in diameter and has the same kind of spinescence as the typical specimens,
"but it is spinous also on the rim of its mouth; the petiole is very stout; the
leaflets are as exactly described above, but have the under surface shghtly paler
than the upper and are very minutely and ‘closely sprinkled with very minute,
slightly prominent dots; in the typical specimens the’ dots or microlepidia are
appressed. These specimens, if not exactly identical with the Malayan plant, probably
represent an allied species.
PLate 40.—Myrialepis Scortechinii Bece.—A branch of the male inflorescence
having lost all its flowers; intermediate portion of a leaf ; from Ridley’s No. 11457
in: Herb. Bece. Portion of a sheathed stem from a young plant; from Scortechinu’s
No. 513° in Herb. Bece.
PLate 41.—Myrialepis Scortechinii Bece—An entire partial inflorescence with
female flowers in bud; a spikelet-bearing branchlet with female flowers during
the anthesis (in the upper part of the plate); portion of a leaf; two mature
fruits, one cut to show the seed in situ; from Ridley’s No. 5680 in the Calcutta
Herbarium. Small partial inflorescence with nearly mature fruit (Scortechini’s type
specimen) and a leaf-sheath of an adult plant, also from Scortechini in Herb Becc.
S
ZALACCA. 67
ZALACCA Reinw.
Reinw. in lit. ad Mart. ex Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 199, t. 118, 119, 128
136 and 159, f. 2; Rumph. Herb. Amb. v, 113; Blume in. Schult. Syst. Veget.
vii, 1333, Obs. 3; Blume, Rumphia, ii, 158; Endl, Gen. No. 1737; Meisn. Gen.
354 (265); Wall. Pl. Asiat: Rar. ili, t. 229—224; Grifi. in (alc. Journal Nat.
Hist. v, 8, and Palms Brit. Ind. 9, t. clxxv—elxxx; Mig. Fl. Ind. Bat. iu, 80;
Beec. Malesia, iii, 63; Kurz, For. Fl. Brit. Burma ii, 511; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind.
vi, 472; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 168; Salacca Reinw. in Syll. Plant. ii, 3.
Cæspitose, almost stemless, spinous, dioecious palms, having large, pinnate,
non-flagelliferous leaves. Leaflets lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, tricostulate, almost
always sigmoid or at. least falcately acuminate. Spadices interfoliaceous, very
dissimilar in the two sexes, enveloped in several incomplete membranous, mostly
lacerated and perishable spathes. Male spadices branched, bearing several catkinlike,
cylindrical spikes, composed of very approximate bracts (spathels) more or less connate
by their margins. Male flowers two and equal at the axilla of every spathel, ovate,
clavate or oblong, accompanied by special bracteoles usually hairy or woolly; the .
calyx thinly membranous or hyaline,’ deeply 3-parted ; the corolla longer than the
calyx, having a fleshy undivided base, and parted into 3 thinly cartilaginous lobes;
stamens 6, inserted at the throat of the corolla; filaments short, subulate; anthers
erect, basifixed; rudimentary ovary extremely minute, placed at the base of the
tubular part of the corolla. Female spadix less branched than the male and with
fewer spikes. Female spikes larger than the male ones, torulose or squarrose
(Euzalacca and Eletodoxa), or small and composed of very few flowers (Letozalacea) ;
the spathels at first connate by their margins, then separating, larger and less crowded
than in the male spikes, each carrying a female flower accompanied by a neuter one
(in the species of the Huzalacea and Eleiodora section), the female having two bracts,
and the neuter only one ; the neuter flower is wanting in the species of the Lezozalacca
section. Female flowers larger than the male ones, ovoid ; the calyx membranous.
split into 3 parts; the corolla coriaceous, about as long as or slightly longer than the
calyx, having a ventricose or urceolate entire base, and divided above into 3 valvate ,
segments; staminodes 6, inserted at the throat of the corolla; ovary distinctly
3-celled, ovoid, strigose from being covered with scales prolonged into ascending or
spreading spicule (Huzalacca), or less frequently flat and appressed (Letozalacca and
Eleiodora). Fruit relatively large, _mono-trispermous, globose, turbinate or ovoid
covered with reversed scales terminating in a rigid spiculiform upturned point
(Euzalacca) or smooth and appressed (Lesozalacca and Eleiodora).. | Seed oblong,
globular or obsoletely angular, enveloped by a fleshy, often abundant and very acid,
integument of which an intrusion penetrates into the albumen from an apical pit; the
surface of the nucleus smooth ; albumen homogeneous ; embryo basal.
The genus is sharply divisible into 3 sections or subgenera. The more numerous
and more characteristic representatives of ‘the genus (the Zuzalacca) are sharply
separated from the others by the strigose ovary and the corresponding hispid subspinous
fruit ; moreover in the species of this group the female flowers are accompanied by
a neuter one and are crowded into cylindrical spikes. In the second group the female
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL, XII.
e
^
* "
68 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Zalacca.
spadix carries very reduced spikes, containing very few female flowers not accompanied
by a neuter one, and the fruit is covered with flat, appressed, smooth scales. The
third group (Eletodora) has the female flowers crowded together, as in Zuzalacca, into
cylindrical spikes, each flower being accompanied by another flower, neuter or male ;
the fruit is monospermous and clothed with smooth scales, and has the seed of a
special conformation.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—Zalacca is one of the most characteristic exclusively
Indo-Malayan genera of Palms. The 13 species at present known flourish chiefly
in the very rieh soil of the recesses of the primeval forest, or in very damp situa-
tions. Z. secunda is the most northerly species being indigenous to Upper Assam
and the Mishmee Mountains ; it stands alone and has no close affinities with the other
continental species Z. Wallichinna, found more to the south in Burma, Tenasserim,
Siam, Cochin-China and the Malay Peninsula. To Z. Wallichiana are related not only
Z. glabrescens, which likewise grows in the Malay Peninsula, but also the insular
Malayan species, viz. Z. Blumeana, Z. edulis, Z. vermicularis, Z. sumatrana and
Z. Clemensiana of the Philippines, all being characterized by having hispid spiculi-
ferous fruits. Z. affinis (rom Malacca, of the Lerospatha group, has its representative
in the Bornean Z. dubia. Z. conferta and Z. Scortechinii (Eleiodoxa) are gregarious
marsh palms, growing in the Malay Peninsula, in Borneo, Riow and Bangka, but
they are apparently not common plants. The native country of Z. dubia is not
known. It is found only in cultivation at Buitenzorg, but most certainly is a
native of one of the Malay Islands.
The precise place of origin of the Malayan Z. edulis is also as yet uncertain,
it being a plant that frequently receives a kind of rudimentary culture, on account
of its edible acid fruits.
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ZALACOA. | | | | |
1 | Z. edulis Reinw. * el aut eci Gua sa s | t | ze
A var. amboinensis Becc. ... | ... un i She | E s hs dro | Du | i
rcs var. riowensis Bece. eo pas sab de nua SA RA foca SR
2 | Z. vermicularis Becc. ... a | oes ea AR W | T x TR T | i
3 |Z. Blumeana Mart. — ... E i SA vum | i T. | SE | A
nE 5 var. Rimbo Bece. Msi Sire 2 ska ri or a | En : | y a
5 | Z. sumatrana Becc. ... ase | ped es HM 4 | + | pa = | RO ata
6 | Z. Clemeusiana Bece. ... nile s e 3 . ase yi | +
919 Wallichaia Man ... Son + 21 clt | xc cared
8 |Z. glabrescens Grif... oe | i ee - . » "s dies = |
9 |Z. secunda Grif. ^ ... lcd E = s& apt ses ee ee |
10 |Z affinis Grif. R s | ove + à ce T s | = |
11 | Z. dubia Bece. oi MM aes iv sl ua s TA A ae TAR
12 | Z borneensis Bece. — ... Lei | eL vas ses i ose e Di | oe T | (0 ose
13 | Z. conferta Grif. da fe a n = aid 4 à | Li + | Dì 2:
14 |Z. Scortechinii Bece. ... "tut | | i Gs
Zalacca. ZALACCA. 69
ZALACCA.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
(On account of the great dissimilarity between the male and the female spadix,
it would have been desirable to have one key constructed according to the characters
offered by the male spadix, and another according to those of the female spadix, and
especially by the fruits; but to make this double key has proved unfeasible,
owing to the circumstance thai in several species one or the other of the necessary
organs are as yet unknown).
A —EuzarAccA.— Ovary strigose or beset with sharply pointed, erect, stiff, almost
hairy scales. Female spikes larger than the male ones, having two flowers at each
spathel, one of which is female (or apparently hermaphrodite) and the other a male
or neuter. Fruit clothed with spiculiferous or subulate scales.
* Leaflets more or less sigmoid, whitish beneath and having the midcosta only
spinulous above. Fruit clothed with scales having a spinuliform upturned tip.
\
f Male spikes having the spathes connate into circular rings.
§ Leaflets unequidistant.
a. Male spikes elongate, flexuose, at first vermiform. and with
appressed spaihels later subsquarrose or with slightly longer
than the spathels ; the divisions of the corolla spreading gaping
spathels. Male flowers during the anthesis.
Leaflets narrowly lanceolate. Male spadix nodding
or. trailing.
f.. Z. edulis Reinw. (forma typica).
Malay Archipelago.
Leaflets linear.
Z. edulis var. amboinensis
Bece.—Amboina.
Leaflets narrowly lanceolate. Male spadix with
shorter branches than in forma typica.
Z. edulis var. riowensis Becc.—
Riow. -
b. Male panicles erect cupressiform; male spikes vermiform, entirely
exserted from the spathes; the spathels appressed, short, ring-
like, with the wool of the special flower-bracts longer than the
spathels and giving a tomentose appearance to the spikes. Male
flowers with the division of the corolla spread open during the
anthesis.
2. Z. vermicularis Becc.—Borneo.
70 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Zalacca.
c. Male panicles erect; spikes digitiform, shorter or slightly longer
than the spathes; flowers clavate, so numerous as io conceal
the spathels and having the division of the corolla erect (not
spreading) during the anthesis. Seed obtusely trigonous.
3. Z. Blumeana Mat Java.
Fruit more or less turbinate.
Z. Blumeana Mart. (type) Java.
Fruit globular, very slightly narrowing to the base.
Z. Blumeana var. Rimbo Becc-
Sumatra.
$$ Leaflets equidistant. Fruit turbinate, tapering to a narrow rather elongate
base. Seeds irregular, obtusely angular, and somewhat flattened.
4. Z. sumatrana Becc.—Sumatra.
tt Male spikes having the spathels individually distinct, ŭe., not connate and
not forming annular rings. Leaflets in groups.
Bi 2 Clemensiana Becc.—
Mindanao.
** Leaflets green on both surfaces.
{Fruit clothed with appressed rhomboidal scales, having a spinuliform up-
turned tip.
$ Leaflets oblanceolate, narrowing to a straight base (not or very slightly
sigmoid); the coste smooth or the mid-costa only spinulose near the apex.
Male spikes tomentose. Fruit having a conically mammillate apex. Seed about
twice as long as broad.
6. Z. Wallichiana \art.—Burma,
Tenasserim. Mergui Archip., Siam,
Indo-China, Malay Peninsula,
Penang.
$$ Leaflets having a distinctly sigmoid base, and smooth coste. Male spikes
glabrous. Fruit very suddenly contracted into a long beak.
7. Z. glabrescens Grif.—Malay
Peninsula, Penang.
tft Fruit clothed with spreading lanceolate thick subulate scales.
Zalacca. ZALACCA. 71
Leaflets straight, lanceolate, having 3 costa spinulous above. Seed
irregularly globular.
" 8. Z. secunda Griff—Upper Assam
and Mishmee M*.
B. SuBaenvs LerozaLacca.—Uvary and fruit clothed with appressed scales not produced
into a rasping point. Male spadix as in Euzalacca. Female spadix
having few female flowers in groups on short branchlets, solitary in the
azillas of secondary spathels and not accompanied by neuter flowers.
Fruit ovoid or obovoid, scales in 24— 26 vertical series. Male spadix
having elongate branches, bearing short, tomentose, sessile
spikes in the axillas of much longer spathes.
9. Z. affinis Grit. Malay Peninsula,
Sumatra.
Male spadix with short spike-bearing branches; spikes glabrous-
shortly pedicellate in the axillas of spathes shorter than
themselves. Fruit elongate-ellipsoid or ventricose-fusiform,
l-seeded (always?); scales in 24 longitudinal series.
10. Z. dubia Becc—Sunda Islands?
Fruit similar to that of Z. affinis but with fewer and larger scales
in 18—19 vertical series.
11. Z. borneensis Becc—Borneo.
C. Suseenus Exveropoxa.—Fruit clothed with appressed scales not having a prolonged
tip. Female spadix with flowers in spikes, two at the axilla of every
spathel, one of which is a female, or apparently hermaphrodite, and the
other a neuter or a male, without rudiment of an ovary. Fruit normally
monospermous. Seed discoid with an upper circular chalazal fovea.
Embryo basal. Male spadix not known. S
Leaflets straight.
12. Z. conferta Grif.—Malay Penin-
sula, Borneo, Bangka. AUS a
Leaflets sigmoid.
13. Z. Scortechinii Becc.—Malay
Peninsula.
Description oF Puate III.
Fias. 1—5. Zalacca (Leiozalacca) affinis (Grdff—Fig. 1. Young female spikelet
ending in a rudimentary flower, and with the fertile flowers just appearing outside
their spathels.—Fig. 2. Isolated young female flower furnished with its bracts or
spathellules.—Fig. 3. Female flowers during the anthesis enveloped by their spathels
72 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Zalacca.
and spathellules—Fig. 4. Detached female flower during the anthesis.—Fig. 5.
Ovary.—All figures enlarged 5 diameters. (a=spathel ; b=outer spathellule ; e=inner
spathellule; d=calyx ; e=corolla).
Fies. 6—15. Zalacca (Euzalacca) Blumeana Mart.—Fig. 6. Spathel shielding
two young male flowers accompanied by their bracteoles—Fig. 7. Male flower during
the anthesis—Fig. 8. Vertical section of a male flower—Fig. 9. Female flower
accompanied by its neuter flower and relative bracteoles.—Fig. 10. Portion of the
corolla of a female flower open and showing its inner side, and the insertion of the
staminodes.—Fig. 11. Female flower entire.—Fig. 12. Female flower divested of
its calyx.—Fig. 13. Ovary.—Fig. 14. Neuter flower and its bracteole.—Fig. 15.
Diagram of a spathel embracing the female and neuter flower with their bracteoles.
All figures enlarged. '
Fic. 16. Zalacca (Euzalacea) vermicularis Becc.—Longitudinal section of an
ovary (enlarged). ,
Fie. 17. Zalacca (Euzalacea) secunda Grif.—Longitudinal section of an ovary
(enlarged).
Fires. 18—21. Zalacca (Eleiodoxa) conferta Grif.—Fig. 18. Female flower
during the anthesis.—Fig. 19. Female flower cut open.—Fig. 20. Neuter flower.—
Fig. 21. Portion of the neuter flower cut open. (All figures enlarged 7 diameters.)
EXCLUDED SPECIES.
.
ZALACÓA Beccari Hook f. fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 474. Species established on the
young fruits of a Zalacca (probably of Z. Wallichiana) and the leaves of Calamus
longisetus (I have seen the typical specimen in the Herbarium at Kew).
ZALACCA? AssiMICA Lodd.= Plectocomia assamica Grif. ex Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 81.
ZALACCA NITIDA.—Cat. W. Bull. 1886, 9; from West Africa, probably a species
of Baphia. 1
ZALACCA WagNERI Hort. Versh. ex H. Wendl. in Kerch.' Les Palm. 258
?
nomen—Quid ?
DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES.
l. Zaracca rpULIS Reinw. (Salacca) in Sylloge Plant. Soc. Ratısb. ii, (1828), 3
ex Blume (Zalacca) in Roem. et. Sch. Syst. Veget. vii, p. 2—1334;
Kurz in Natuurk. Tijdschr. Ned. Indie. xxvi, (1864) 217; Miq. Fl.
ind. Bat. in, 81.
Fructus squamosus pyriformis Clus. Exot. Lib. ii, c. 4, p. 25—26 cum icone.
Baly insulae fructus pyri Jorma asper, C. Bauh. Hist. i, cum icone.
| i
Calmus Rotang var. 6, Linn. Sp. 463. + :
Z. edulis. | ZALACCA. 78
Descriprion.—Cespitose, almost stemless. Leaves interruptedly pinnate; rhachis
armed along the dorsum with a line of large flattened spines, and spinous
also at the sides in its basal part. Leaflets bifarious, all in one plane, often
several one after the other equidistant, but at times leaving long vacant spaces
of rhachis interposed, narrowly lanceolate, slightly sigmoid or falcately acuminate,
terminating in a filamentose tip, green, almost glossy above, and ashy gray beneath.
Male spadices (or their primary divisions?) 40—55 cm. long, forming lax, nodding
(or trailing?) subsecund panicles, composed of few (5—6) slender, alternate, super-
posed branches, 10—20 cm. long, each supporting a single spike. The primary
spathes are lanceolate-acuminate, of a soft structure, thinly rusty-tomentose, split-
ting longitudinally and finally decomposed into long fibres; the spike-bearing branches
are tomentose, each furnished with two special spathes, one placed midway, the
other just at the base of the spikes. The spikes are flexuose, 12—15 em. long,
10—12 mm. in diameter, entirely exserted from the spathes. The spathels are
rusty-furfuraceous outside, and at first, when the flowers are very young, united
together so as to form very regularly superposed, approximate rings, having only
the rim slightly interrupted by obtuse but distinct points corresponding to every
insertion of flowers; in this stage the spikes are vermiform and almost smooth, but
when the flowers appear. the spikes assume a squarrose and toothed appearance,
owing to the rings becoming slightly gaping and more or less split into as many
parts as theoretically there ought to be spathels, and each part being terminatéd
by a triangular point. ‘The male flowers, just before opening, are narrow, 6—7 mm.
long, 2'5 mm. broad, and slightly protrude above the spathels; the calyx is as
long as the undivided part of the corolla and is parted nearly to the base into
3 linear, hyaline segments; the corolla is parted in its upper third into 3 trian-
gular acute segments, spreading during the anthesis, and is fleshy and tapering
below; the stamens are all equal, have the filaments subulate and spreading during
the anthesis, and the anthers lanceolate-sagittate; the rudimentary ovary is ex-
tremely minute and placed only a little above the base of the corolla; the special
floral bracts are very narrow, shorter than the flowers and slightly hairy-paleaceous.
The female spadix is probably very much like that of Æ Blumeana.
Hansrrar.—Native of the Malay Islands, but the precise place of origin not
known. Frequently cultivated.
OpsERVATIONS.—Reinwardt assigned the name of edulis to that species of the
genus Zalacca, known to the ancient authors (Clusius, Rumphius, and Gaertner) in
the belef that all those writers had in mind the same species, characterized by
the spinuliferous fruits; but this kind of fruit occurs in several distinct, although
allied species, dispersed throughout the various Malay islands. It happened therefore
that under Reinwardt's name of Z. edulis (and that of Zalacca of Rumphius) more
than one species was- included.
The first notice of a Zalacca is found in the works of Clusius (l. c. 1605).
who deseribes and figures, under the name of Fructus squamosus pyriformis, certain
fruits that in his time had reached Europe from Bali, preserved in brine. These
fruits from Bali ought to be considered as representing the typical F. edulis, and if
they could be now obtained, accompanied by spadices and leaves, the question as
^
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD.. CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
74 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. edulis.
to the identification of that species could be settled at once; otherwise it is
hopeless to rely for its sure identification on the description and figure given by
Clusius. Rumph was the first to adopt the Malay name of Zalacca for the same
Fructus squamosus pyriformis of Clusius; and he also gives a description and a bad
representation of that plant, stating that it grows not only in Bali, but also im the
western part of Java; adding that in old times it was thence introduced into the
Islands of Banda and Amboina. We are therefore justified in considering Rumph's
Zalacca as a complex species, that includes also the Javan Z. Blumeana. It is however
more by conjecture than by the evidence of facts that I assume to belong to the
true Z. edulis the plant cultivated at Buitenzorg, described by me above, which
was introduced from Amboina, and produces male spadices widely different from
those of Z. Blu neana, but which from the affinity it presents with the allied
species, certainly must produce fruits very much lize those of the Fructus squamosus
pyriformis of Clusis.
. Z. edulis, as conceived of Ly me, is especially characterized by the male spadices
quite different from those of Z. Blumeana Mart. and resembling those of
Z. vermicularis Bece. In Z. edulis the male spikes are long and flexuose, entirely
exserted from the spathes; the floral bracts are furnished with very little wool
and that not visible outside ; the spathels during the anthesis are slightly gaping and
have very broad but distinct triangular points, which on the whole give a squarrose
or toothed appearance to the spikes; the. flowers are small, slightly protruding
beyond the spathels, and have the corolla divided in its upper third into 3 triangular
segments, spread open during the anthesis.
PLate 42.—Zalaeca edulis Reinw.—Portion of a leaf near the end. Male spadix
bearing, specially in their üpper part, young spikes with the flowers still hidden
within the spathels; branch of the male spadix with spikes during the anthesis.
From a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (V. G. 21 a’.
la. ZALACCA EDULIS var. AMBOINENSIS Becc.
Zalacca (Rottang Zalack), Rumph. Herb. Amb. v, 113, t. 57, f. 2.
Description.—A note of the collector (C. B. Robinson) says that “the plant
has leaves over 4 m., with 35 pairs of leaflets or more, often irregular, either
wanting or else represented by spines. Fruit yellow brown." In my specimen the
leaflets, in a portion of rhachis 30 cm. long, are equidistant, 60 cm. long, 3°5 cm.
broad, linear, very slightly sigmoid at the base, and briefly falcate at apex, ashy
or rusty-grey beneath. A female fruiting spike is very similar to, those of
Z. Blumeana, but judging from the remnants of the flowers found upon those spikes.
the female flowers have very thick, oblong, obtuse, tongue-like stigmas. The fruit is
globose and narrows abruptly at the base; the scales have as usual an up-curved
spinulous tip, but are broadly grooved on the posticous. part, and only slightly
keeled at the apices. The seeds have a very abundant fleshy integument, which
even in the herbarium specimens remains acid, and has the flavour and consistence
of dried plums; when divested of the integument the nucleus shows a dark brown
*
Z. vermicularis. ZALACCA. | 7E ee
and even surface, is very irregularly and obtusely subtrigonous. or. at times
almost globular, 15—16 mm. in diameter, and has an apical pit and a large basal
embryo.
HasrrAr.—Amboina. The specimens of this distinct variety (or perhaps species)
were ‘collected on the 23rd August 1913 at Kusy-Kusy Sereh by the late C. B.
Robinson, and one of them was forwarded to me by Mr. Merrill of the Manila
Herbarium.
OnskRvATIONS.— The specimen upon which this variety is established differs from
those of the plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (considered as representing the type of
Z. edulis) in its leaves, which are much narrower and more regularly set on the
rhachis. Of this Amboinese Zalacca the male spadices are unknown, and of the
supposed. type ihe fruits are wanting; so it is possible that when the two shall
be better known, they may be found not to be specifically identical. The plant
collected by Robinson ean be only be considered as partially representing Rumph's
Zalacca. i
PLATE 43.—Zalacca edulis var. amboinensis Bece.—Portion of the petiole and |
of the intermediate part of a leaf; spadix bearing young fruits; mature fruits and
seed. The entire specimen. in Herb. Beccari.
15. ZALACCA EDULIS var. RIOWENSIS Becc.
Descriprion.—It differs from the plant considered as the type by the male
spadices being much shorter, only about 25 cm. long. having the branchlets sup-
porting the spikes also shorter; but otherwise it is in every respect, even in its
leaves with their unequidistant leaflets, white underneath, not distinguishable from
the type. The petiole is very powerfully spinous.
Hapirat.—It was cultivated in the Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg and said to
have been introduced from Riow; I gathered my specimens of it in the year 1878.
" : :
PLATE 44.—Zalacea edulis var. riowensis Becc.—Lower portion of a leaf and
petiole; fragment of a leaf: from above the middle. Male spadix“ Specimen in
Herb. Beccari from the plant cultivated at Buitenzorg mentioned above.
3. ZALACCA VERMICULARIS Becc. Malesia, iii, 66.
Descriprion.—Leaves very large. Leaflets (alternately equidistant ?), coriacious,
green and glossy above, dull whitish or ashy grey beneath; the intermediate very
broadly linear, slightly sigmoid at the base, asymmetrically acuminate and slightly
faleate at the apex, up to 90 cm. long, and 7—8 em. broad, strongly tricostulate ;
the transverse veinlets sharp and very approximate. Male spadices (or perhaps
only their primary branches) arising erect from the axillas of the leaves, about
35 em. long, forming a rather loose cupressiform panicle, composed (in 2 specimens)
of only 7 alternate branches, each arising from a broad, acuminate, embracing
spathe, and bearing only one spike. ‘The general spathes are concave, elongate,
acuminate, and ass-ear like, thinly membranous, easily splitting. longitudinally,
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
76 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. vermicularis.
thinly rusty furfuraceous, the lowest 12—15 cm. long. The branches are about
as long as their respective spathes, which have a narrow tubular lower part. and
rather abruptly expand into a broadly and loosely infundibuliform limb, produced
at one side into a triangular acute point; the branches are inserted at the bottom
of their respective spathes, are about as long as these (5—7 cm.) form a pedicel
to the spikes and are enveloped by 2 other minor spathes. The spikes are entirely
exserted from the spathes, vermiform, erect, slightly flexuose, 8—12 em. long,
10—11 mm. broad, and narrow a little above to a rather acute point; the bracts
of the spikes or spathels are united together and form very regular superposed
rings, having the rim truncate, but showing an obtuse point, to which converge
several distinct nerves in correspondence with every insertion of flowers. The special
flower-braets are linear and bear at their apices dense tufts of rusty-woolly hairs
covering the flowers before the anthesis, which afterwarls remain visible outside the
rim of the spathels, and give to the entire spikes a tomentose appearance. Male
flowers small, about 5 mm. long; the calyx at first entire, later split into 3 hyaline
striate segments; the corolla slightly longer than the calyx, three-parted nearly to
the middle, tapering and fleshy below with the segments ovate, rather acute, and
spreading during the anthesis; stamens subseriate, 3 of them being longer than the
others ; filaments subulate, recurved during the anthesis; anthers almost orbicular, or
a trifle longer than broad Female spadix shorter than the male, formed by a very
few, closely packed, short branches, each bearing 1—2 almost sessile spikes, and
altogether forming a large, dense and almost sessile mass, enveloped by several
spathes broadly lanceolate, long-acuminate and rusty-pulverulent outside, of which
the lower and larger are 35—40 cm. long, all speedily split into long criniform
fibres. The flowering spikes are thick and shortish, 8—10 em. long, and 2°5 cm.
broad, torulose, apiculate; the spathels are relatively large, at first connate and
truncate, later split, thinly rusty-furfuraceous outside, each shielding a female flower
accompanied by a neuter one. Special floral bracteoles rigid-subcoriaceous ; the
internal one broadly triangular, the two external narrow, densely covered on their
keeled backs with rusty-paleaceous hairs. Female flowers relatively large, ovoid-
oblong, 12 mm. long, 65—7 mm. broad, slightly curved; the calyx more or less
deeply 3-lobed at first, then split into 3 very thin membranous, soon decaying,
oblong, acute segments, about as long as the corolla. The corolla coriaceous, striately
veined outside, trigonous-pyramidate in its upper part, and divided to about the
middle into 3 triangular acute teeth, ventricose in its lower undivided part; the
staminodes are rigid, subbiseriate, and have small rudimentary anthers; ovary ovoid,
narrowing to a thick and relatively rather elongate style ; stigmas thick, tongue-
like, blunt, relatively large. Neuter flowers as long as the female ones, curved, of a
general clavate’ form, tapering quickly to at a very narrow acute base from an acutely
trigonous-pyramidate upper part. Fruit (seen only at a very young stage) covered
with black shining spicule!
HanrrAT.—Borneo. In the primeval forest of Sarawak in most fertile soil in
ravines at the foot of Mt. Mattang (Bece, P. B. No. 2011).
Osservations.—Apparently it greatly resembles in its female spadix and fruit
Z. Clemensiana and Z. Blumeana, but it is distinguishable from these by its male
j
Z. blumeana. ZALACCA. 77
spadices (or primary branches) composed of a few superposed short branches, each
bearing one spike only, and forming on the whole relatively small cupressiform
erect panicles; by the male spikes having the spathels connate in very regular
superposed annular rings, the one closely appressed to the other, having the
rim quite truncate and not showing any projecting tips corresponding to the
place of the flowers; by very small male flowers, having the segments of the
corolla quite hürisoutully spread out during the anthesis ; and by the rather elon-
gate style with tongue-like stigmas.
PLate 45.-—Zalacca vermicularis Bece.—Intermediate portion of a leaf. Male
spadix. Female spadix with young fruits. From Becc. P. B. No. 2011.
9. ZaLacca Brumrana. Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 202 (first edit.) and 201
2nd edit.) t. 123 and 159, iii; Bece. Malesia, iii, 65.
Calamus Zalacca Gaertn. De Fruct. et Sem. ii, 967, T 18€ i L
Descriprion.—Stemless and not differing in general appearance from the allied
species. Leaves interruptedly pinnate; the rhachis armed along the dersum with a
line of large flattened spines, and spinous also at the sides in its basal part.
Leaflets in groups of 2 to 4 on each side of the rhachis in its lower part, with
long vacant spaces interposed, more regularly bifarious towards the end; in each
group the leaflets are regularly set and all in one plane (not pointing in different
ways) narrowly lanceolate, slightly sigmoid, faleately acuminate and with filamentose
tips, green and almost glossy above, ashy grey beneath, all distinetly 3-costulate in
their basal part, the mid-costa alone much raised throughout and spinulous only
near the apex on the upper surface; the side coste more slender than the mid
one, smooth and evanescent upwards; the intermediate leaflets are 50—60 em. long.
5—5'5 cm. wide; the upper ones somewhat shorter; the uppermost more or less
united and less acuminate ; the margins appressedly spinulous from about the middle
upwards. Male spadices (or its primary divisions?) 40—50 em. long, forming a
rather dense, cupressiform, erect. panicle, composed of a few erect, very short, and
approximate branches, each of which supports 1—23. spikes only, and is furnished
with 2—3 special spathes which envelope their respective spikes. The primary
spathes are fusiform or lanceolate, acuminate, concave, ass-ear like, of flabby struc-
ture, thinly tomentose, splitting along one side, and finally end in long fibres. The
sptkes are borne on a very short pedicel, with their apices at about the same level
as their own spathes or protruding a little beyond them. are finger-like, straight,
erect, 12 cm. long, 18—20 mm. thick at the time of flowering; the spathels are of
a thin structure, strongly striately veined, at first completely connate by their margins
forming truncate rings, but separating later into distinct divisions, each division being
terminated by a broad obtuse furfuraceous point, in correspondence with the insertion
of the pairs of flowers ; special floral bracteoles linear, very slender, hairy, paleaceous
at their summits and on the keeled back. Male flowers very closely packed, entirely
concealing the spathels during the anthesis, apparently all opening at one time;
the full grown buds are 7 mm. long, clavate with a round top, 3 mm. broad, greatly
attenuated to a narrow base; the calyx is elongate, deeply divided into 3 broadly
4
78 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. blumeana.
linear, hyaline, striately veined segments, rounded and cucullate at apex; the corolla
slightly longer than the calyx is divided from a little above the middle into 3. oblong,
cartilaginous segments, rounded at apex, and finely striate externally ; the lower
undivided part of the corolla is fleshy ; the segments are slightly divaricate during
the anthesis but not horizontally spread out; the stamens are uniform, inserted
in ihe throat of the corolla, have the rigid, erect, subulate filaments thick at
their base, where connate with the tubular part of the corolla; anthers erect,
basi&xed, oblong, obtuse, their cells briefly disjointed at the base ; rudiment of the
ovary obsolete or extremely minute, placed just at the bottom of the corolla. The
female spadix is shorter than the male, and formed by a few very closely packed
‘short branches, each bearing 1—2 almost sessile spikes, and the whole forming a
large and dense, almost sessile mass, enveloped in several spathes. In the
specimens seen by me the primary branches carry only one spike, shortly
pedicelled, enveloped in spathes longer than* their respective spikes, similar to
those of the male spadix and soon breaking up into long criniform fibres.
The flowering spikes are torulose, 8—10 cm. long, and 2—2'5 cm. in diameter ; the
spathels are, at first, connate by their margins but soon separate and assume a
broadly trapezoidal shape with a short triangular point in the middle of the
upper margin; are. concave, papyraceous, brown, strongly striately veined, finely
rusty-tomentose, and finally marcescent and split up into fibres ; at every insertion
point is a female flower accompanied by a neuter one. The female flower is
provided with two special bracts, one of which is placed between it and the neuter,
and is large triangular, acuminate, membranous, and embraces the base of its
flower ; the other or external bract is narrow, and slightly hairy-paleaceous on its
keeled dorsum. The neuter flower is 10 mm. long, very slender, more or less
angular, and diminishing considerably below to a narrow base; it is also provided
with a braet similar to the external one of the female flower ; the calyx is formed
by 3 lanceolate, hyaline, keeled sepals united by their bases; the corolla is
coriaceous and with its triangular acuminate connivent segments assumes a trigonous-
pyramidate form ; its base is solid, elongate and narrow ; the stamens are reduced
to rigid slender filaments, ending in rudimentary subulate anthers. Female flowers
are relatively. large, almost regularly ovoid, have a broad round base, and a conical
acuminate point, are 12 mm. long, and 7—8 mm. broad ; the calyx 1s, at first, more
or less deeply .3-parted ; later it splits down to the base into 3 very thinly
membranous, speedily decaying segments, triangular from a broad base and
acuminate, appressed to the corolla, anl shorter than it ; the corolla is coriaceous :
striately veined outside, trigonous-pyramidate above, divided to about the middle
into 3 elongate triangular teeth or segments, and globular-ventricose in its lower
undivided part ; staminodes 6, slender, rigid, bearing narrowly lanceolate acuminate
rudimentary anthers; 3 of them stand erect in the sinuses between the teeth of
the corolla, and 3 are opposite the teeth and are inserted at a lower level ; ovary
ovoid, narrowing above to a short and thick style, and covered densely with dark
ascendent spicule ; stigmas trigonous, elongate, spreading. Fruit turbinate or broadly
pyriform, having a globular obsoletely trigonous upper part, speedily tapering below
to an acute base ; it is about 4 cm. long and 3'5 em. broad ; scales glossy, of a
dark chestnut brown colour, squarrose, slightly convex and faintly keeled along the
centre, and arranged in very numerous longitudinal series, their apices produced
Z. blumeana. ZALACCA. 79
into very fine upeurved brittle points, 4—5 mm. long; the remnants of the style
form, on the round top of the fruit, a small muero about 3 mm. long, surrounded’
` and entirely hidden by the erect spinules of the uppermost scales. Seeds 3; when
divested of their fleshy integument roundish subtrigonous, 2 cm. long, 15—18 mm.
broad, 10—12 mm. thiek, rounded above, narrowing towards the base, convex on the
back and having two flat facets inclined at a wide angle on the inner side and
an aplcal pit, corresponding to a narrow intrusion of the integument, about
8 mm. deep; the embryo is basal, exactly in opposition to the apical pit. and
about as long asthe intrusion of the integument.
Hanrrar.—The specimens from which the above description has been drawn dp,
are derived from plants cultivated in the Botanic Garden of Buitenzorg (V. Y. 8
the fruit; V. Y. 8a the male spadix), but apparently introduced into the Garden
from | its neighbourhood, where this species seems to be either spontaneous or
occasionally planted.
OnBSERVATIONS.—li is characterized with certainty by the male spadices short.
cupressiform, having few approximate secondary branches, each bearing only 1—2
finger-like thickish spikes, shorter or else slightly longer than their respective large
fusiform spathes; by the same spikes having the flowers very closely packed together,
completely hiding the spathels, and by the segments of the corolla slightly divari-
eating during the anthesis, and not completely spread out; by the leaves having
the leaflets ashy grey beneath, interruptedly pinnate, but with the leaflets in each
group regularly bifarious and not pointing in different ways. It seems also to differ
from the allied species by the fruit, which is not much prolonged at the base, and
has subtrigonous seeds, convex on the dorsum.
The fruits of Z. Blumeana represented in Martius’s plates 123 and 159 III,
show the scales not prolonged into subspinous upcurved points, doubtless because,
being very brittle, they had been rubbed off before the artist saw them. Calamus
Zalacca Gaertn. is, I think, referable to Z. Blumeana Mart., and is not the plant
of Clusius (Z. edulis Reinw.), especially on account of the relatively scanty, although
fleshy, but later dry integument, with which the seeds of Z. Blumeana are
covered (demum exarescens—Gaertner); whereas in Z. edulis the integument is
copious and never becomes absolutely dry.
PLate 46.—Zalacca Blumeana Mart.—Male spadix. Portion of a leaf near the
end. Spike with mature fruits. One fruit open showing 2 seeds in situ, one
having been taken out; one seed, dorsal aspect. From plants cultivated at Buiten-
zorg (V. Y. 8d, and V. Y. 8). Specimens in Herb. Beccari.
ZALACCA BLUMEANA var. RimBo Becc. var. nov.
It ditfers from the type only in the fruit being almost globular and only very
slightly attenuate at the base. ‘The fruit contains 1 to 3 seeds, which of course
vary in shape according to their number, are globular when solitary, convex on
the back with flat ventral surfaces when two, and have two flat inner facets when
3 in number, otherwise as in type. ;
80 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. sumatrana.
Hazitat.—Jt has been quite recently (1915) collected by Mr. Grashof at -Mulah
Ulu, Prov. of Palembang, in S.-E. Sumatra. It was however cultivated in the
Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg (V. G. 14), but its place of origin was unknown.
PLATE. 47.-. Zalacca Blumeana var. Rimbo Bece.—Female spadix during the
anthesis ; detached female spike ; spike with mature fruits; intermediate portion of
a leaf. From a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (V. G. 14) in Herb. Beccari.
4. ZALACCA SUMATRANA Becc. n. Sp.
> 4. Wallichiana (non Mart.) Miq. Prodr. Fl. Sum. 255,592.
Description.—Stemless as usual. Leaves very large. Petiole very densely armed
with very unequal spines, some short, a great many large and very robust,
subulate, flattened, schistaceous, frequently approximate by their bases and oblique-
ly inserted. Rhachis stout, trigonous, armed only along the dorsum, especially in
its lowest part, with a line of large’ flattened spines, 3—5 cm. long, 5—10 mm.
broad at their bases, frequently accompanied by smaller ones. Leaflets numerous,
all equidistant and regularly bifarious in one plane (in one specimen) narrowly
lanceolate, slightly sigmoid at the base, having- a falcately acuminate tip, and
parallel margins in their intermediate part, rigid, green and glossy above, dull and
ashy grey beneath, all very conspicuously 3-costulate, the costæ being very robust
in their basal parts, more slender, but yet present also towards the apex ; the
mid-costa is spinulous only near the apex; the margins are appressedly spinulous
in their upper part; the intermediate and largest leaflets are 70—75 em. long and
6—7'5 cm. wide; those towards the end are gradually shorter but not narrower;
the uppermost are partially united and less acuminate than the others. Male spadix
es Fenale spadix apparently dense and short, very similar to that of Z. Blumeana ;
one spike is about 12 cm. long (not taking into account the fruits it carries).
Fruit turbinate-obpyriform, 6—7 cm. long, having a globular head 4—45 em. in
diameter, which gradually «tapers to a long very narrow base; scales glossy, of a
dark chestnut brown colour, squarrose, arranged in very numerous longitudinal series,
(I counted 45 on one fruit), keeled along the centre, the apices produced into
very fine upcurved brittle points, 4—6 mm. long. - The remains of the style form
on the round top of the fruit a small terete mucro, 4 mm. long. The seeds,
usually 3, have an abundant fleshy acid integument completely filling the cavity of
the periearp; when divested of the integument they are irregularly and obsoletely
trigonous, broad above and more or less narrowing below, often somewhat flattened,
2—2'5 em. long, 15—19 mm. broad, with a dull dark brown even surface, and an
apical pit corresponding to a narrow intrusion of the integument 8 mm. deep; the
embryo is basal, triangular acuminate, also about 8 mm. long, set exactly in
opposition to the apical pit.
HanrrAr.—The description of this supposed new. species is derived from speci-
mens gathered by me in August 1878 in S. W. Sumatra at Ayer Mantjor (360 m.
above the level of the sea) in the Prov. of Padang. In “ Malesia” (vol. III,
p. 64) I had referred thése specimens to Z. edulis Reinw. and erroneously given
the locality of Kayu tanam, which indeed is not far distant from Alyer Mantjor.
Z. clemensiana. ; ZALACCA. 81
Probably to this “supposed” species is referable a specimen collected by Teijsmann
at Priaman, also in the Province of Padang (No. 2029 in Buitenzorg Herbarium
and labelled Z. Wallichiana. Mart. ; which certainly is the species so named by
Miquel l. c.
Osservations.—It is one of the forms which are to be grouped with Z. edulis
Reinw; but I remain somewhat uncertain about its value, its male spadix not
being known, because in the group to which it belongs, the different species are
very much like each other as to the fruit, whereas the male spadices and the
male flowers afford good diagnostic characters.
Z. sumatrana is apparently distinguishable from Z. Blumeana and Z. edulis by
the leaves having regularly alternately arranged and equidistant large elongate
leaflets ; by the rhachis being spinous only along the dorsum; but principally by
the fruit having a long and narrow tapering base; also by the obsoletely and i
irregularly angular seeds, broad and somewhat flattened, rounded above, and atten-
uate below; and by the scale distinctly keeled along the centre. |
PLATE 48—Zalacca sumatrana Becc.—Intermediate portion of a leaf; one spike
with some of its not quite mature fruits ; two entire fruits ; two fruits open, showing
the seeds “in situ” enveloped in their integument ; seeds divested of the integu-
ment; one cut through the embryo and the apical pit. The! type specimen in
Herb. Becc. The fruits were preserved in alcohol.
Latin Diagnosis. Zalacca sumatrana Bece. sp. nov. Frondium segmentis amplis,
valde elongatis, regulariter et alterne aequidistantibus, rachi tantum in dorso
spinosa; fructibus obpyriformibus, basi longe angusteque attenuatis; seminibus
anguste oblongis et irregulariter obtuseque angulosis, apice rotundatis, basi attenuatis.
5. ZALACCA CLEMENSIANA Becc. Notes on Philip. Palms in Philip. Journ. Science
(Botany) iv, (1909), 618.
Description.—Leaves very large, 5 or more metres long, the petiolar part
densely armed with large, broad-based, long spines; rhachis in the intermediate
portion acutely trigonous, with a line of long spines along the centre beneath,
Leaflets interruptedly fasciculate ; the fascicles in the intermediate portion usually
alternate and formed by 3 or 4 leaflets on each side of the rhaehis. somewhat
pointing in different ways, elongate-lanceolate, rigidly papyraceous, green and shining
above, ashy-coloured beneath, slightly sigmoid at the base; the apex briefly faleate,
abruptly and asymmetrically tapering into a long filamentose tip; the margins
minutely spinulous. from the middle upwards; transverse veinlets very sharp
and prominent on the upper surface. much less visible on the. lower; the
mid-costa prominent and smooth on both surfaces; the lower and intermediate .
leaflets about 60 cm. long and 6—7 em. wide, distinctly 3-costulate; upper
leaflets smaller and with the side coste slender and evanescent upwards; the
leaflets of the end more distinctly falcate and more sigmoid than the others,
and more or less united. Male spadices arising erect from the axillas of the
expanded bases of the petioles, 60—90 cm. long, inclusive of a short pedicellar |
part, and bearing 5—7 branches, the one above the other, 5—8 em. apart,
i
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
ì
82 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z: clemensiana.
each bearing several (5—8) alternate spikes. Primary spathes longer than their
respective spike-bearing branches (20 em. long), thinly rusty-tomentose marcescent,
and much lacerated or split along one side and reduced to strips and filaments.
Male spikes cylindraceous, slender, 5 to 7 em. long, 10 to 11 mm. broad, borne
on a very short pedicel, which is embraced by a short and broad membranous
bracteiform secondary spathe; the spathels or braets of the spikes are bracteiform,
concave, very broad, acute and striate, individually distinet and not united together
so as to form annular involucres (at least at the flowering time), and invisible
from the outside even when the flowers are very young; bracteoles densely woolly
ramentaceous. Male flowers (pink, at least, when young—Elmer) small, 5 mm. long,
protruding above the spathels. by the full length of the corolla; calyx at first
entire, later split into 3 hyaline, striate segments; the corolla is not much longer
than the calyx, three-parted nearly to the middle, attenuate and solid below ;
its segments ovate, subacute, spreading during the anthesis; stamens all of the
same length; filaments thickish with subulate apices, curved outside during the
anthesis; anthers oblong, obtuse. Female spadices apparently shorter than the
male ones and having a thicker axial part; one (entire or a branch?) seen by me
bears several very approximate .sessile spikes, almost hidden by the disintegrated
spathes, reduced to fine capillary filaments. The spikes are only 3—4 cm. in
length, but thickish (15 mm. across), and have relatively few approximate flowers ;
the spathels have a very broad base and a triangular point, are membranous and
strongly striately veined; each embraces a female flower accompanied by a neuter
one; bracteoles of the female flower hairy-paleaceous at apex. Female flowers
ovoid, 8 mm. long; the calyx completely divided into 3 ovate or ovate-lanceo-
late, blunt, concave, thinly membranous, nearly hyaline, striately veined sepals ;
the corolla is longer by one-third than the calyx, divided to. the middle into 3
semi-ovate-triangular, thickish, acute lobes, and ventricose in the lower undivided
part; staminodes stiff, subulate, carrying slender, acuminate, rudimentary anthers ;
ovary globular-ovoid, covered densely with ascendent spicule ; style very short;
stigmas relatively small, included in the corolla during. the anthesis, fleshy and
obtuse. Neuter flowers rather large, imperfectly formed, 6—7 mm. long, at times
not much smaller than their female flowers; the calyx is as in the female flower
but narrower; the corolla solid in its lower attenuate part is divided above into
three triangular thick segments; the stamens have subulate flaments and small
abortive anthers ; rudimentary ovary none. The fruit not seen by me, but accord-
ing to Elmer, as reported by the natives, globose and 5°5 em. in diameter and
from the nature of the ovary certainly clothed with scales having upturned
spinuliform tips ; probably it resembles that of Z edulis.
Hanrrar.—The Philippine Islands.—The species was first established on speci-
mens of the male plant only, collected by Mary Strong Clemens in June 1907 in
Mindanao, at Lake Lanao, Camp Keithly (No. 1907 in Herb. Manila and Bece.)
Found again also in Mindanao, with male and female spadices by Mr. A. D. Elmer
at Todaya (Mt. Apo) in the District of Davao (Sept. 1909—No. 11879 in Herb
Bece.). Elmer notes that it forms large dense. tufts in the moist fertile soil of
shallow ravines near streams at about 1000 m.; grows in thickets on the Talon
side of the mountain range, and that it is stemless, about 7 to 13 in a cluster.
Z. wallichiana. ZALACCA. 83
Osservations.—It has the leaflets white beneath and the fruit covered with
scales having upturned spinulous tips as in Z. -edulis and Z. vermicularis, but is
distinguishable by its fascicled leaflets and especially by the male spikes having
the spathels individually distinct, at least at the flowering time, and not connate
by their margins so as to form circular rings round the axis—a character which
I have not found in any other Zalacca known to me.
PLate 49.—Zalacca Clemensiana Bece.—Intermediate portion of a leaf; male
spadix ; separate male spikelets with flowers in bud; female spadix. From Elmore
No. 11879 in Herb. Beccari. \
6. ZarnaccA WaLLicHIANA.— Mart, Hist. Nat. Palm, ii 201 (Ist edit.) 200 (2nd
edit.) and 325 pl. 118, 119, 136; Kurz in Natuurk. Tijdsehr.
Ned. Indie xxvii, (1864), 216: For Fl. Brit. Burma li, 511; Bece.
Malesia, ii, 66 ; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. India, vi, 473; Ridley, Mat. El.
Mal. Penins ii, 170. ;
Z. edulis (non in Reinw.) Wall. Pl. As Rar, iii, 14, pl. 222, 223, 224 (sub-
nom. Z. Rumph); Grif. Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v. 8: Palms.
Brit. Ind. 10, pl. CLXXV (‘spadix only). "
`
Z. Rumphi Bl. Rumphia. ii, 159.
Z. macrostachya Griff. in Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 13; Palms Brit. Ind.
15, pl. CLXXVIII, A. B. C.; Mart. le. pl. LXXI f. v. i (fructus) ;
Becc. l.c.
Description.—Tufted, almost stemless and soboliferous like Zalacca edulis and
allied species. Leaves large, about 5 m. long on the whole, the petiolar part
alone being 2 m. or more long, armed with terrible, flattened, long acuminate,
rigid, light-coloured, 4—8 cm. long spines, spreading or slightly deflexed, several
united by their bases and encircling the petiole with more or less, broken spirals ;
the rhachis similarly armed in its lower part, but. the spines become less
numerous as they ascend, and finally solitary above. Leaflets distinctly unequidis-
tant, approximated in groups of 2—4 on each side of the rhachis and divergent
from their bases in every group, oblong-lanceolate, broadest in their upper third
part, above this slightly falcate and abruptly acuminate, terminating in a more or
less elongate linear-fili-form tip ; below they taper gradually to a rather narrow
slightly sigmoid or straight base; they are 3-costulate green and almost glossy
on both surfaces, but slightly paler underneath ; the mid-costa, though at times
slightly spinulous towards the apex, is hills smooth, as are also the side
costae ; margins spinulous, ciliate from above the middle or thereabouts ; the
interniodiato leaflets are 65—70 em. long, and 8—9 em. wide; the upper are
shorter and more distinctly sigmoid-faleate ; some at the apex are confluent ; the
lower leaflets are the narrowest and have a more long-acuminate filiform tip than
thé upper. Male spadix coming forth as usual from the axilla of the lower
leaves, is elongate, nodding or recurved, branched from the base or divided into
several secondary and tertiary flaccid and pendulous spike-bearing branches, 30—80
cm. long; primary spathes elongate-lanceolate, acuminate, covered with a thin
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
84 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. wallichiana.
detachable rusty furfuraceus indumentum, lacerated longitudinally. - The male .spike-
bearing branches are covered with thick brown wool, and carry alternately, and at
regular distances of 5—7 cm., several solitary spikes, each completely enveloped
by a secondary spathe, which is thinly membranous, dry, splitting longitudinally
along the axial side, and: usually longer than the spike it embraces. The
spikes have a tomentose appearance, especially before the flowers open ; are
cylindrical, finger-like, 5—8 cm. long, 12 mm. across, quite sessile and with a
round apex. The spathels are connate -by their bases, otherwise distinct, very
broadly ovate, 4 mm. long; each embraces two flowers and has a broadly triangular
acute tip, which only just surpasses the wool of the floral bracteoles, other wise
the spathels are hidden by the wool of the bracteoles; the latter are thinly mem-
branous or hyaline, the lateral connate by their bases, the middle laminar, entire ;
all villose on their backs, and much more densely so at the apices. Male flowers
briefly exserted during the anthesis, from the wool of the bracteoles, narrowly
clavate, acute (when in bud), 8 mm. long; the calyx .at first completely encloses
the corolla, but later splits deeply into 3 broadly linear, membranous, subhyaline,
obtuse segments; the corolla is slightly longer than the calyx and is divided to
about the middle into 3 ovate segments, which have the apices furnished inside
with 1—3, very slender, hair-like introflexed appendages, separating the anthers ;
the latter broadly linear. Female spadix composed of several unequal spike- Ta
branches, of which some are rather rigid and elongate, and others creeping on the
ground. Spikes numerous and alternate on the branches, as in: the male spadix
but larger and with larger flowers, densely tomentose when the flowers are young;
later, the flowers being considerably exserted, the tomentum remains covered by the
flowers; at the flowering time the spikes are 6—9 cm. long, and 2°5—3 em.
across, and have a very short terminal mucro; the spathels are coriaceous, very
broadly triangular and embrace two flowers, one of which is large and female
and the other, at its side, much smaller and neuter; fioral bracteoles relatively
large, the two of the female flower connate at the base, densely villose at «the
apex. Female flowers ovoid-conical; the calyx deeply divided into 3 oblong-ovate,
blunt, thinly membranous parts; the corolla somewhat longer than the calyx,
divided to the middle into 3 triangular, very acute segments, at first connivent,
but spreading during the anthesis; staminodes subulate and with rudimentary
anthers; ovary ovoid and densely covered with ascendent spiculae; style short;
stigmas lanceolate, rather acute. Neuter flowers slender, very much like the male
ones, 8—10 mm. long; the stamens have the filaments subulate and bearing slender
abortive anthers. Fruit obovate pyriform, when thoroughly mature 7—8 cm. long
(or at times less?) and 4 em. across, broadly anl rather suddenly conically shaped
in its upper third part, and tapering below to a narrow base; scales in very
numerous longitudinal series, light-coloured or fulvous, rhomboidal with a subulate
spinuliform upeurved brittle tip. Seeds 3, oblong, trigonous, convex on the
dorsum, about 3 cm. long, the breadth about half as much; the apical intrusion
of the integument penetrates more than half way into the albumen; embryo. basal,
exactly in opposition to the apical pit. i
HaBrrAT.—Frequent in the tropical forests all over Pegu and Martaban down
to Tenasserim (Kurz. In Burma at Moulmein (Meedold No. 17142 fem. spec.)
Z. wallichiana. ZALACCA. 85
and at Mergui (Meebold No. 14274. Male specimen in Herb. Breslau); also. in
Burma at Maytharouk, on the Salween, at 300 m. elev. and on the sea coast at
Amherst (Brandis). In Siam (Schomburg in Herb. Calc.) and at Bangkok (Pierre
in Herb. Paris) In the Malay Peninsula on the Tahan River in Pahang (Ridley)
and Permatang Bertam (Ridley No. 7003) and at Bukit Juru, Province Wellesley
(Ridley). Griffith writes of his Z. macrostachya, which certainly is the female,
plant of Z. Wallichiana, that it grows “in marshy, damp and exceedingly shady
places at Ching near Malacca” and that its spadices are so long as “to reach
the ground on which the spike of flowers are frequently to be found, and often
immersed in water, which abounds in the favorite localities of this species." It
is said to grow also in Penang, Singapore, Sumatra, and Bangka, but I have not
seen specimens from these places. 2
Osservations.—Doubtless Z. macrostachya Griff. is. the female plant of Z.
Wallichiana Mart., as is easy to verify comparing Griffith’s plate CLXXVIII, B.
(Z. macrostachya) with Martius’s plate 119, I (Z.. Wallichiana), both representing:
a portion of the female spadix in flower.
To Z. Wallichiana also belongs Wall. Cat., No. 5000, male specimen in Herb.
de Candolle ; in this specimen the spathes are slightly less than twice as long as
the spikes. In Kurz No. 3328 in Herb. Cale. the spathes are just twice as long
as the male spikes. In Griffith’s plate CLXXV the spikes are slightly shorter
than their spathes.
In Griffith’s plate CLXXV the figure representing a branch of ‘the male spadix
really belongs to Z. Wallichiana, but in this figure the leaf seems to belong to
another species, probably to Z. affinis. as its segments are Won and not grouped,
as in Z. Wallichiana.
Z. Wallichiana is well characterized by its leaves having a long petiolar part
armed with spiral interrupted whorls of very large spines; by the leaflets green
on both surfaces, oblanceolate, narrowing to a nearly straight base, in groups of
9—4 on each side of the rhachis. and approximated by their bases in each group
divarieating and pointing in different directions ; in having the mid-costa spinulous
above only; by the elongate and nodding male spadices, having long pendulous
spike-bearing branchlets; by the sessile d and ® superposed distant spikes, enve-
loped by lacerated spathes, longer than the spikes; by the male spikes tomentose,
and by their flowers having the apex of the segments of the corolla provided with
introflexed appendages ; by the floral bracteoles being densely villose; by the fruit
obovate-pyriform, conical in its upper part, and having spinous scales and oblong
seeds.
PLarte 50.—Zalacca Wallichiana Mart.—Portion of a leaf a little above the base;
intermediate portion of the petiole; male spadix bearing spikes still young. From
a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Becc.). Male spikelet at the moment of
the anthesis; from Meebold's No. 14274.
Prare 50A.—Zalacca Wallichiana Mart. in the Botanic Garden at Calcutta.
Puare 51.—Zalacca Wallichiana Mart.—Portion of a leaf near the apex; portion
of a female spadix in flower; the apical part of a spadix with young fruits.
86 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. glabrescens.
From a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Becc.). Young fruits; from Meebold’s
No. 14619. One mature fruit, from Amherst (Brandis).
1. ZALACCA GLABRESCENS. Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 14: Palms
Brit. Ind. 17, t.' 179; Hook. f. FI. Brit. Ind. vi, 473; Ridley,
Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 170.
Description.—Stemless as usual, but apparently a smaller plant than the allied
species. Leaves 2-3 m. long (at times more?) ; the petiole, 1°25 m. long in one
specimen, is in its lower part obtusely trigonous and armed with a few interrupted
rows of confluent, robust straight spines, 4-5 cm. long; upwards it is terete and
with the spines solitary, scattered and very unequal above and along the centre
beneath ; the rhachis in its first portion is more or less armed on the dorsum
with a line of straight, rigid, horizontal or ascendent spines, and has a deep
furrow on each side of the median ridge above ; upwards it is trigonous. The
leaves of young plants have the petioles (when dry) trigonous, and the leaflets
equidistant from the middle above; in full grown plants the leaflets are all
on one plane, very plainly interrupted, two or three being approximated on each
side of the rhachis, with long vacant spaces between the groups, at least from
the middle downwards ; are thinly papyraceous green and almost glossy on both
surfaces, distinctly sigmoid-lanceolate, broadest about their middle, and thence
tapering downwards to a rather acute base, and narrowing upwards to a falcate,
subulate, filiferous or cirriform apex ; have 3 slender costae, acute and smooth ;
transverse veinlets not very approximate (92-3 mm: apart); margins spinulous,
ciliate only near the apex: the intermediate leaflets are 30—35 em. long, and
5-65 em. wide; the lowest are somewhat longer, but only 3-4 cm. wide; the
uppermost are confluent and form a bilobed flabellum, the lobes being deeply 4-5
cleft. Male spadix branched from the base, forming a panicle 25—40 cm. long ;
primary spathes very short, subcoriaceous, thinly rusty tomentose ; spathes of the
branches 7—10 em. long, rigid. tubular and narrow in their basal part, unclosed on
the ventral side and broadening above into a lanceolate, acuminate, papyraceous,
fugaciously furfuraceous limb ; the lower branches bear 3—5 spikes, the upper ones
only one or two; the spikes are supported by a pedicellar rusty furfuraceous
part which is itself provided with a secondary rather large, loosely infundibuliform
spathe, prolonged into a lanceolate limb. The spikes are entirely exserted from the
spathes, 4-9 cm. long ; when young are vermiform and glabrous, looking as if they
were regularly formed by superposed rings, one into the other, later have a
subsquarrose appearance, and when covered with full grown flowers are 13 mm. in
diameter ; spathels united by their bases, forming the rings spoken of above and having
the rim undulate and very obsoletely toothed, each tooth corresponding to a bract ;
special flower-bracteoles slender, shorter than the spathels and slightly hairy-
paleaceous. Male flowers small, 5-6 mm. long, produced beyond the spathels only
during the anthesis with the spread out lobes of the corolla ; the calyx splits into 3
linear hyaline segments, as long as the lower fleshy entire part of the corolla, which
is divided, in its upper third into 3 oblong segments ; rudimentary ovary basal, very
small but distinct; stamens equal, their: filaments subulate from à thickish
base; anthers oblong. Female spadix consisting of only a few branches, 15—30
Z. secunda. ZALACCA. 87
em. long, clothed with several spathes similar to those of the male spadix, ' each
bearing a solitary long-pedunculate nodding spike, 7—8 cm. long, 2 cm. in diameter
and terminated by an apiculum, formed by small approximate much reduced
spathels ; the normal spathels are ' very broad, coriaceous and connate by their
margins. In correspondence with every spathel are, as usual, two flowers, one of
which is large and female, the other at its side, is smaller and neuter. Female
flowers obliquely ovoid, 8 mm. long; the calyx splits into 3 oblong, blunt seg-
ments; the corolla, about one-third longer than the calyx, is divided to the middle
into 3 thickish triangular segments ; sterile stamens are present ; ovary strigose ;
style short ; stigmas thick, elongate, trigonous ; special female flower bracteoles
thickish, ovate, slightly hairy but only on the keeled back. Neuter Jlowers not seen
in good condition by me, described by Griffith as having 6 barren stamens, small
sterile anthers and an ordinary rudiment of the ovary within the attenuate base.
Fruit (immature) broadly ovoid (when mature globose, Hooker), 2—5 em. in diameter,
suddenly contracted into a columnar beak 12—15 mm. long, 6—7 mm. thick, and
terminated by the small remains of the style and stigmas; the more developed
fruits seen by me were 53 mm. long (including the beak); the beak of the fruit
is clothed like the body with dark brown, rhomboidal, slightly convex, obtusely
keeled scales, arranged in numerous vertical series, and having a recurved, ascen-
dent. setose tip.
Hasirat.—The Malay Peninsula: Penang (Lewes ex Grifüth and No. 9435
ex Hooker), Penang Hill, Road to Balik Pulau (Curtis ex Ridley) : in the District
of Perak (Scortechini in Herb. Beccari): in Selangor ; Kwala Lumpur, Ulu Selan-
gor (Ridley). Pahan: Tahan River Woods (Ridley.)
OsseRvatIons.—Easily distinguishable, by its leaves having unequidistano, more
or less distinetly grouped, sigmoid, concolorous leatlets ; by the male flowers being
provided with very slender, very slightly woolly bracteoles, and consequently by the
male spikes having a glabrous aspect ; by the branches of the female spadix bear-
ing a solitary spike ; but especially by the fruit terminating very abruptly in a long
and narrow beak.
I was mistaken (Malesia, iii, 64) in referring this species to Z edulis. The
description above is based mainly upon Scortechini’s specimens.
PLate 52.—Zalacca glabrescens Grif:.—Male spadix having some of the spikes
with flowers very young ; in the other the flowers are ready to expand; two spikes
at the flowering time, intermediate portion of a leaf.. From Scortechini’s specimen
in Herb. Beccari.» `
PLatE 53.—Zalacca glabrescens Grif.—Intermediate portion and lower part of a
leaf, with a good portion of the petiole ; female spadix (or a portion of it);
ovaries and young fruits in different degrees of development. Frum Scortechini’s
specimen in Herb. Beccari.
8. ZaLacca SECUNDA Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 12; Palms Brit.
Ind. 14 pl. CLXXVII; Becc. Malesia, iii, 67; Hook. f. Fl Brit Ind.
vi; 472.
?
!
88 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. secunda.
L
Calamus collinus Griff. Palms Brit. Ind. p. CLXXXVI (leaf only).
Descriprion.— Nothing is known about the general habit of this plant, but
apparently it is less armed with spines than is usual with its congeners. Leaves
very large, 10 m. long (Mann); the petiole is covered fugaciously with a "very
minute, rusty pulverulent indumentum, is terete in its upper part, and is armed
like the lower part of the rhachis. but only on its back, with a few slender,
needle-like, fasciculate spines. 2-3 em. long; the rhachis is. in its lower part,
rounded on the back, and has above two longitudinal furrows for the insertion of
the leaflets; higher up it is trigonous, and quite unarmed. Leaflets in groups
of 2-3 on each side of the rhachis in its lowar part, regularly alternate above,
straight (not sigmoid nor falcate), narrowly lanceolate, almost equally diminishing
from the. middle towards both ends, very gradually acuminate above to a very
acute and (in the lower leaflets) filamentose tip equally green and almost shining
on both surfaces, acutely tricostulate, the 3 costae bristly-spinulous on the upper
. surface from about the middle upwards, smooth beneath; margins appressedly
bristly-spinulous above the middle; transverse veinlets very slender and sharp,
extremely numerous anl approximate; the intermediate leaflets 85-90 cm. long,
65-7 cm. wide. the lowermost shorter and narrower, the upper gradually smaller
and less acuminate; all free, except the two of the apex, which are the smallest
and are united by their bases. Mule spadix rather large with a robust axial part
bearing at different levels several spike-bearing branchlets. Primary spathes
covered with a thin, soft, rusty, detachable indumentum, tubular in their closed basal
part, unclosed lanceolate-acuminate and partly clasping above. The spike-bearing
branches flaccid, nodding or recurved, up to 13 m. long or shorter, divided into
smaller branches in their lower part, and bearing several spikes. The spikes have
in general an alternate secund arrangement, and come forth solitary from the
mouth of a secondary spathe, are 6-7 cm. long, and 14-15 mm. across, are
supported by a slender elongate pedicellar part as long as or a little longer than
the spathes and itself sheathed by several infundibuliform tertiary spathes. ‘he
secondary spathes have a tubular base, and a lanceolate-acuminate and lacerated
limb. The spathels of the spikes are united by their bases, but have a bractei—
form, deltoid, very obtuse. free limb. Male flowers 8 mm. long, clavate at the
time of the anthesis, almost entirely exserted from the spathels; the calyx at
first completely encloses the corolla, but later is deeply 3-lobed; the corolla
is a little longer than the calyx and divided (not quite to the middle)
into 3 oblong segments; the stamens have linear-oblong anthers ; floral
bracteoles are linear, hairy-paleacsous above, and give the spikes a tomen-
tose appearance at certain periods of their development.. Female spadix
erect, with a stout axial part, divided into a few short, erect, thick
spike-bearing branches ; the lowest spathes are produced, from a short embracing
base, into a very long (40 cm. in one speciment) acuminate solid point, which is
armed with slender needle-like spines ; the spathes of the branches are similar to
those of the male spadix, but broader and shorter. | Female spikes thickish
(2 cm. in diameter) briefly stalked, 6—8 cm. long, spreading or recurved. Spathels
coriaceous, united by their bases, but having a very broadly triangular concave,
obtuse free part ; they embrace 2 flowers, one of which is large and female, and
®
Z. secunda. ZALACCA. : 89
the other by its side, smaller ani neuter, but nevertheless relatively large ; floral
bracteoles short, very densely villoso-ciliate. Female flowers globose-ovoid, 8 mm.
in diameter ; the calyx before the anthesis parted from a little below the middle ^
into three lobes, later split entirely into three ovate, bluntish divisions; the"
corolla a little longer than the calyx, divided to, the middle into 3 triangular,
thick, acute connivent segments, ventricose below ; staminodes apparently none;
ovary globose, distinctly 3-celled. covered densely with ascendent. spiculiform scales ;
style very short ; stigmas lanceolate-trigonous, acute connivent. Neuter flowers 9 mm,
long, trigonous-pyramidate, acute and tapering below to a slender base. Fruit
globose-turbinate, very variable in size and shape according to the number of seeds
it contains, but always rounded at apex. and very shortly attenuate at base;
if the fruit contains only one seed it is globular and 4 cm. in diameter; when
the seeds are two it is subdidymous, and if there are three, the head is sub-
trigonous with rounded angles, and is 6-6°5 cm. in diameter. The pericarp is
erustaceous and brittle, and is clothed with very numerous, a thousand or
more, narrow thickish subulate-lanceolate, dark brown, glossy scales 8—10 mm. long,
and 2-3 mm. broad at the base; the scales of the upper part of the fruit are
ascending, those of the middle are at first horizontal, or slightly deflexed with
asconding points, those of the base are entirely deflexed. The remains of the
stigmas form a small inconspicous mucro. The seeds are covered with a detachable
integument 2 mm. thick and of a corky structure in the dry fruit; when only
one seed developes, it is globular and about 3 cm. in diam. ; when there are two,
they are convex dorsally and have flat inner faces; when three in number they
are about 3 cm. long and broad, and 2°5 cm. thick, have also the dorsum
convex, but show two. flat inner faces, separated by a rounded salient angle, the
side angles are also very obtuse; in every case the surface is dark brown,
even, but not polished, and shows a deep small apical hollow, leading
to the canal containing the intrusion of the integument, which extends more than
half way into the albumen. The albumen is bony and very hard; the embryo is
rarely basilar or in correspondence with the apical hollow, frequently it remains
above the base and is sublateral, its position being indicated externally by a cirenlar
and slightly depressed area, 6 mm. in diameter.
Hasirat.—Griffith established this species on male specimens only collected in
the forests about Kujoo, in Upper Assam, in the Mishmee mountains, and in the
lower ranges of hills on the borders of Upper Assam. My description is based
entirely on very complete specimens forwarded to me by Mr. G. Mann, and.
collected in the Makum Forest in Upper Assam, with flowers in January 1888
and with mature fruits in October 1890.
Osservations.—It is a very fine species, quite distinct from any other by its
not very spinous leaves, ‘having straight. lanceolate, acuminate leaflets all free,
except the two at the apex, bristly spinulous on 3 costae on the upper surface,
and marked by excessively minute and approximate tranverse veinlets; by the male
spadiees being much branched with long spike-bearing, nodding or pendulous:
branches ; by the male spikes having a peduncular part about as long as their
spathes; by the female spadix being stout and erect, with several short
*
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
\
90 : ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. CALCUTTA. Z. affinis.
spike- bearing branches ; by the fruit globose-turbinate 1-3-seeded. covered with innu-
merable, very narrow, subulate, lanceolate scales, partly asgendent, and partly
recurved ; by the large seeds, about as long as broad, globular or very obsoletely
angular, and round on the back.
Griffith did not describe the leaves of this Zalacca, but most probably those
that he attributes to C.-eollinus Griff. (= C. erectus Roxb.) belong to it as I
have already pointed out in my monograph of Calamus.
PLate 54.—Zalaeca secunda (Grif.—&An entire male spadix ; the apex of a leaf
From Mann's specimens in Herb. Beccari.
Prate 55.—Zalacca secunda Griff—Female spadix (in two parts) with very
young fruits; fruits with 3 seeds, one in the upper, the other in the lower part
of the plate; another fruit with two seeds; two seeds covered by the integument ;
two seeds divested of the integument ; "E cut longitudinally through the sei
of the integument and the embryo; seed in transverse section ; intermediate leaflets.
From Mann's specimens in Herb. Beccari.
|
9. Zaracca AFFINIS Griff in Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 9; Palme Brit. Ind. 12,
p. CLXXVI, A. B. C.; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm iii, 202, pl. ZXXI, f.
IV; Bécc. Malesia, iii, 67; Hook. f. Fl Brit. Ind. vi, 169; Ridley,
Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 169.
Description —Apparently does not differ much in habit from the other species.
Leaves about 2°30 m. long in the pinniferous part; the petiole elongate, armed
with very rigid, flattened, light-coloured, very acuminate, unequal,- spreading or
deflexed spines, 3—6 cm. long, 3—4 mm. broad at their bases, scattered or approxi-
mate in small series, some reduced to short sharp prickles; the rhachis is also
armel below with fascicles of similar large spines in its lower portion, while above
the spines become geminate or solitary and gradually smaller. Zeafets are all on
one plane, but distinctly arranged in groups of 2—4 on each side of the rhachis
with long vacant spaces interposed ; are oblanceolate-spathulate, diminish below to
a narrow, distinctly curved or sigmoid base, and are suddenly acuminate above io
a slightly falcate point, which ends in a filiform setulose tip; they are green on
both surfaces, slightly paler beneath, concave-convex or subinflated in their upper
part, have 3 distinet costae, smooth on both surfaces, and several secondary nerves;
transverse veinlets not very approximate; margins spinulous only near the apex ;
the intermediate leaflets are 35—40 em. long. and 5—9 em. wide in their upper
‘third and broadest part; the lower leaflets are smaller, some of the apical ones
are confluent. The male spadix is formed by several, elongate, flaccid, nodding
tail-like spike-bearing branches, 45—50 or more (?) em. long, having sessile spikes
either solitary, or in groups of 2-3 at the axillas of the spathes: the latter ate
lanceolate acuminate, much longer than their respective spikes (10—18 cm. long),
exsuccous, papyraceous, more or less split. and lacerated, thinly and fugaciously
rusty-furfuraceous. Spikes short, 3:5—6 em. long, 12 mm. in diameter, when with
fully developed flowers of a tomentose appearance, especially after the fall of the
Z. affinis. ZALACCA. 91
flowers; the spathels or bracts of the spikes, although united by their bases do
not form annular rings, but are distinet, braeteiform, membranous, broadly cordate,
obtuse at apex and each embraces two flowers; the special flower bracteoles unite
to form two shallow, membranous. irregular cups, which are furnished with dense
tufts of paleaceous hairs, attaining the level of the apex of the spathels. Male
flowers narrow, 6 mm. long, clavate-oblong, and distinetly apieulate when in bud,
immersed only with the calyx within the involucra ; the calyx is at first urceolate
3-toothed and finally split more or less deeply into 3 oblong, striately ^ veined
divisions; the corolla is twice or nearly 3 times as long as the calyx, attenuate at the
base, parted below the middle into 3 oblong, acute segments ; the stamens have
subulate filaments, and oblong anthers : the rudimentary ovary is very small and
papilliform. Female spadix (or its divisions ?) 30—45 cm. long, composed of a
central axis bearing several alternate, gradually decreasing , sessile contracted,
spiciform branchlets, which are embraced by a spathe longer than the branchlets
themselves. The lower spiciform branchlets are 6-7 cm. long, and carry alter-
nately (in the axillas of broad lacerate, accuminate secondary spathes) a depau-
perate sessile spikelet, composed of a very few (usually 3) flowers ; the upper
branchlets are gradually shorter, and have fewer groups of flowers; finally the
uppermost of them has only one such group. Every female flower is embraced
by a spathel, very broadly ovate, acute and usually slashed or laciniate ; inside of
every spathel are two special flower bracteoles (spathellules) rather large, im-
bricating by their bases, keeled, and hairy-paleaceous on their backs. Rudimentary
or neutral flower not present At times the uppermost flower of the groups is
sterile. The female flowers are ovate, acute (in bud) 13—14 mm. long ; the calyx
is at first shortly 3-toothed, and almost completely encloses the corolla, later it is
parted into 3 ovate, finely striately-veined, acute segments ; the corolla, not much
longer than the calyx, is entiré, urceolate in its lower half and is:parted above
into 3 rigid, elongate-triangular, acuminate segments ; the staminodes have rudi-
mentary sagittate anthers; the ovary is ovoid, covered with flattened obtuse scales ;
the stigmas are sessile on the ovary, rigid, erect, trigonous-subulate. not attaining
during the anthesis the apex of the corolla. Fruit ovoid, obovoid or ovoid-turbi-
nate, somewhat tapering below, very obtusely trigonous, 5—6 em: long., 3—4 cm.
in diameter, conically mammillate at apex, terminated by the remains of the small
connivent stigmas, which form a very small and acute muero; scales in 24—26
longitudinal series, broadly rhomboidal, of a nearly uniform chestnut brown colour,
being only slightly darker near the margins, neatly grooved along the centre, the
grooves being continuous all along the entire length of the fruit, the margins
obsoletely dentieulate or nearly entire, and the apices slightly produced into an incon-
spicuous apiculum, which in the young fruits is rather prominent, rendering them
scabrid to the touch. “Seeds usually 3, enveloped in a fleshy integument, 2—3
mm. thick; when divested of this they are 2:5—3'5 cm. long, 18—90 mm. broad,
oblong-subtrigonous, convex on the dorsum and with two inner faces separated by
a faintly salient angle ; the side angles are also. obtuse ; both ends are rounded ;
on the apex, is a deep small hollow, leading. to a narrow channel, containing the
intrusion of the integument, which extends somewhat less than half way into the
albumen; the embryo is basilar, exactly opposite to the apical hollow and is
"4
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
92 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. affinis.
uncommonly large; about 12 mm. long, its position being indicated externally by
a circular area 5 mm. in diameter; albumen homogeneous and hard.
Hasirat.—The Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. Near Malacca at Ching (Griffith)
and at Batu Tiga (Ridley No. 1419). In the District of Perak at Larut (King’s
Collecto- No. 3448). Ridley 1. c. gives also the following Malayan localities.
Singapore: Bukit Timah, Chan Chu, Dindings: Gunong Tungul In damp places
in the forests at Kayu tanam Prov. of Padong in W. Sumatra (Beccari). It is also
cultivated in the Botanic Garden of Buitenzorg as introduced from Lampong in
the East of the Island. Native names: "Assam Cumbang” (King’s collector) ;
“Salak utan” (Ridley).
OsnsERvATIONS.— This species with the two following form a distinet section in
the genus Zalacca, on account of the female spadix not being composed of true
flower spikes, but only of shortened branchlets, which bear in the axillas of
secondary spathes small grouns of 2—4 bracteate. solitary female flowers, not accom-
panied by neuter ones; further the fruits are smooth, being clothed with large
Hattened scales, of which the apiees are not proluced into an upturned subulate, or
subspinous tip.
Z. affims is characterized by its leaves having the petiole armed with large,
rigid, scattered, or shortly seriate spines ; by its leaflets being green on both
surfaces, and in interrupted groups of 2—4 on each side of the rhachis, oblanceolate—
sigmoid, suddenly acuminate to a, setiform apex; by its male spadices having
elongate branches, bearing short tomentose sessile spikes, solitary or in small groups
in the axillas of much longer acuminate spathes ; by its 3-seeded, ovoid or
obovoid or subturbinate fruits with broad, appressed sharply grooved scales, dis-
posed in 24—26 vertical series ; by the seeds oblong, obtusely trigonous and enveloped
in a sparingly fleshy integument.
I have described mainly the specimens collected by me in Sumatra, which
however do not seem to differ essentially from those of Malacca, although a certain
amount of variability may be observed’ in the size and width of the leaflets, and
especially in the length of the female flower-bearing branchlets, and in the length
of the male spikes. The size and shape of the fruit is also rather variable.
Z
Prare 56.—Zallacca affinis Grif.—Male spadix (or one of its divisions); inter-
mediate portion of a leaf. From a specimen gathered by me in 1878 in the
Garden of Buitenzorg from a cultivate] plant introduced from Lampong in Sumatra
(Herb. Beccari.)
Prate 57.—Zalacca affinis Grif.—Intermediate portion of a leaf; female spadix
(or a division of it?) with not fully developed flowers; one of the flower-bearing
branchlets; branch of the spadix with mature fruits; three mature fruits, one
entire, one cut open, showing two of the three seeds in situ, a third in transverse
section; seeds cut longitudinally through the embryo and the apical pit. From
these impenes collected by me in Sumatra. The fruits were preserved in alcohol.
ZB dubia. - ZALACCA. 93
10. ZaLacca puBIA Becc. Malesia, iii, 68.
Desckiprion.— Leaves exactly as those of Z. affinis; the petiole elongate, armed
with very rigid, flattened, light coloured, very acuminate, unequal, spreading or
deflexed spines, scattered or approximate in small series, 3—6 cm. long, 3—4 mm.
broad at the base, some reduced to short prickles; the. rhachis feebly armed
below, in its lower portion, with a few spines similar to those of the petiole and
smooth above. Leaflets all on one plane, in groups of 2—4 on each side of. the
rhachis with long vacant spaces interposed, oblanceolate-spathulate, tapering below to
a narrow curved or sigmoid base, suddenly acuminate above into a slightly falcate
point, and ending in a filiform setulose tip; they are green on both surfaces,
slightly paler beneath, concavo-convex or subinflate in their upper part, have
3 distinct quite smooth coste and several secondary nerves; transverse veinlets
not very approximate; margins spinulous near the apex only; the intermediate
leaflets are 60—70 cm. long, 8—9 cm. broad in their upper third and broadest
part; the upper leaflets are shorter, and a few at the end are confluent. The
male spadir (or one of its primary divisions?) forms a panicle about 40 em.
long, diminishing above, curved or nodding, composed of several short rather
approximate spike-bearmg branchlets, of which the lowermost are 12—15 cm,
long and carry alternately 4—5 spikes; the upper branches become gradually .
smaller, and carry fewer spikes ; the primary spathes are narrow, about as long
as their» respective branches, lacerated, finely rusty-furfuraceous ; the spikes have
a glabrous appearance, even after the flowers have fallen, are very shortly
pedicellate or subsessile, solitary at the axilla of (and slightly longer than) their
respective spathes, 3—4 cm. long, and when with full grown flowers are about
l cm. in diameter ; the spathels or bracts of the spikes, although united by their
bases, do not form annular rings, and in correspondence to each pair of flowers
are distinct, bracteiform, membranous, broadly cordate and obtuse at apex ; the
special flower bracteoles are so united gogether so as to form two truncate
membranous cups not woolly, and provided only with some. elongate subvesicular
paleolae. Male flowers 5 mm. long. having only the base of the calyx immersed
in the involucre, ascendent, oblong, obtusely trigonous, acute or apiculate, often
slightly curved ; calyx narrowing to an acute base and splitting into 3, oblong,
striately-veined divisions ; corolla usually twice as long as the calyx but at times
loss attenuate at the base, parted below the mildle-into 3 oblong acute lobes.
stamens with subulate filaments and broadly linear or oblong anthers ; rudimentary
ovary very small and papilliform. Female spadix apparently very similar to that of
Z. affinis, but smaller, and with shorter flower-bearing branchlets. Fruit elongate—
ellipsoid or ventricose-fusiform and narrowly conical above, terminated by the
connivent remains of the stigmas, which form a very small acute mucro ; scales
in 21 longitudinal series, rhomboidal, narrowly and not deeply grooved along the
centre, chestnut-brown with a slightly darker intra-marginànt line and with a
blunt apiculum at apex, more produced and visible in the lower scales than
elsewhere, and rendering the fruit scabrid to the touch; the margins nearly entire.
Seed solitary (in the several fruits observed) ovoid-elliptical, terete, rounded at
both ends, 2% cm. long, 13 mm. in diameter; the apical intrusion of the
94 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. CALCUTTA. Z. borneensis.
integument extends one-third of the entire length of the albumen ; the embryo
is basilar, exactly opposite to the apical hollow and also penetrates a third
of the albumen; the latter bony and homogeneous
scanty. ’
; integument of the seed,
Hasirat.—lIt is cultivated in the Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg, where I first
in May 1870 collected some male specimens, from a plant introduced by Teijsmann,
most probably from some of the Sunda Islands. Recently I have received (again
from Buitenzorg) specimens of the same plant with male spadices and also,
apparently, its fruits ; but in any case I think it safer to éonsider Z. dubia to
be, as yet, established on the. male plant only.
: OnservaTions.—It is certainly closely related to Z. affinis, from which it
differs in the male spadices having several short spike-bearing branches, and by
the spikes being shortly pedicelled, longer than their respective spathes and not
tomentose; by the special bracteoles forming small cups, not woolly, but furnished
only with a few elongate vesieular, piliform paleolae. The female spadix, supposed
to belong to Z. dubia, is almost undistinguishable from that of Z. afints, as is
also the fruit, the ‘latter however differing in containing one seed only and con-
sequently in being much narrower, assuming that the presence of one seed only
is a normal; not merely an occasional character.
PLATE 58.—Zalacca dubia Bece.—Male spadix; portion of the petiole; interme-
diate portion of a leaf. Specimen from a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg in 1878
(Herb. Beccari). |
Prate 59(A).—Zalacca dubia Bece.—Portion of a leaf near the apex; branch of
the fructiferous spadix; mature fruits; seed cut longitudinally through the apical
pit and the embryo. All specimens from a plant cultivated at -Buitenzorg (Herb.
Beccari).
ll. Zaracca BORNEENSIS Becc. Malesia, in, 68.
Descriprion.—Palm of which the fruit only is known; certainly closely related
to Z. affinis and Z. dubia. Fruit ovoid, suddenly attenuate above from a broad round
base, terete, 5—5'5 em. long, 3:5 em. ‘in diameter, having a conical mammillate
point, terminated by a very small muero formed by the remains of the stigmas ;
scales in 18 longitudinal series, of a uniform chestnut-brown colour. broadly
rhomboidal, considerably broader than long, the largest 1 cm. wide, sharply grooved
along the centre, the grooves being continuous all along the entire length of the
fruit; the points of the scales are obtuse, and only in the lowest very slightly
thickened or prominent. Seeds usually 3, enveloped by a. not very thick fleshy
integument ; when divested of this they are 2:5—3 em. long, 15-20 mm. wide,
.12—13 mm thick, oblong, subtrigonous, having a convex dorsum and two inner faces
separated by a faintly salient obtuse angle; the side angles are also obtuse; both
ends are rounded and above is a\deep, small. apical hollow, leading to the in-
trusion of the integument, which penetrates + of the entire length of the albu-
men; the embryo is basilar, exactly opposite to the apical hollow, and also
penetrates about the fourth part in length of the very hard homogeneous albu-
men.
Z. conferta. ZALACCA. 95
HanrrAT.—Borneo; at Kuching in Sarawak (Beccari).
OssERvaATIONS.— The fruits of this species are very much like those of Zalacca
affinis, of which Z. borneensis probably represents only a geographical form. The
fruits of Z. borneensis, however, differ from those of Z. affinis in having the scales
larger and disposed in 18 (and not in 24-26) vertical series.
PLatE 59(B).—Zalacca borneensis Bece.—Three fruits at the bottom and on the .
right hand side of the plate, one cut open to show two of the three seeds in
situ; a third seed cut longitudinally through the embryo and the apical pit. From
specimens in alcohol (Herb. Beccari).
12. Zauacca CONFERTA Griff. 11 Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 16: Palms Brit
Ind. 19, p. CLXXX, A.B,.C.; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 201, p. 173,
174, Z. XIII, f. XXIX, and pl. Z. XXII, £ XIII; Booo. Malesia.
iu, 045 Hook -L PL Brit. Ind, vi, 473; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal
Penins, i 109.
Description.—A gregarious palm, dioecious? (or polygamous on different indi-
viduals—Griff.). Stem stout and very short. Leaves large, 5—6 m. long or more,
including the petiole; the petiole alone about half the length of the pinniferous
part, subterete, flattish above, of a soft structure internally, and consequently
boldly wrinkled longitudinally in the herbarium specimens, armed with slender
needle-like, light colouréd or schistaceous spines, 4—5 cm. long and only 1—1°5 mm.
broad at their bases, closely approximate in short transverse series; the rhachis
is trigonous and armed throughout on its lower surface with the same kind of
spines as the petiole. but more slender, and in smaller fascicles. Leaflets numer-
ous, equidistant, alternate, green on both surfaces, very slightly paler beneath,
very narrowly. oblanceolate-ensiform, gradually attenuate below from above the
middle to a straight (not sigmoid) base, and upwards to an acuminate, symme-
trical or very slightly faleate apex; main nerves or costae 3, more or less bristly-
spinulous on the upper surface towards the apex, where the margins are also
spreadingly setose, otherwise smooth; transverse veinlets numerous, very sharp; the
leaflets of the upper third part of the rhachis are 60—65 cm. long, 5 cm. wide;
those above are gradually smaller, and all are individually distinet ; only the two
leaflets of the end, which are the smallest, are shortly united by their bases.
Male spade >“. ie Female (or polygamous) spadix erect, composed of several,
short approximate branehes, each bearing 1—2 shortly stalked spikes, forming by
their union a dense ovoid mass, 30—40 em. long. Primary outer spathes
papyraceous, sheathing in their basal part, unclosed and broadening above into a
lanceolate. slightly spinous limb, prolonged ‘into a very. elongate, thickish. gradu-
ally acuminate point, which, occasionally, bears rudimentary leaflets at its apex;
inner spathes smaller, membranous, very finely long-acuminate. Spikes erect, cylin-
drical, 12—14 cm. long, 2 cm. in diameter (when in flower), of a squarrose
appearance since.the spathels, at first connate and ring-like, soon separate and
are kept gaping by the enlargement of the flowers; spathels rigid, very sharply
striately veined, with the veins converging to a broad obsolete point. Flowers
in pairs at each spathel, one of which, a female, has the appearance of
96 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. conferta.
being a hermaphrodite, and the other of being neuter or else a male, both
resting. in a sort of bi-locular, rather deep, thinly membranous, veined cup,
clothed on the angles with soft rufous wool. The female flower is ovoid,
acute, 7—8 mm. long; the calyx almost entirely parted into 3 lanceolate, sub-
coriaceous, acute parts; the corolla, one-third longer than the calyx, is parted
nearly to the base into 3 ovate-triangular, acuminate, hard, coriaceous segments ;
staminodes 6, of which 3 are adnate to the centre of the segments and 3
alternate with the first three rise from nearly the base of the corolla, all
with a subulate filament and a distinct (sterile) anther; ovary globose 3-celled ;
style very short and thick; stigmas elongate, thickly trigonous, subulate, spreading.
Neuter flowers as long as the female, but narrower, trigonous, and acute; the
calyx splits into 3 oblong divisions, subcartilaginous and strongly striately-veined ;
the corolla coriaceous and with a basal solid entire part, divided above into 3
ovate-lanceolate, thick segments ; stamens 6 with thickish elongate filaments; anthers
ovoid or oblong-sagittate. The fruits are crowded into an irregular, formless mass,
sometimes of considerable size; the individual fruits are turbinate, more or less
deformed by mutual pressure, slightly convex or flattish above, with a short small,
mucro in the centre; when full grown 3°5—5 cm. long, 3—4'5 em. in diameter in
their uppermost part, and thence gradually tapering to a rather’ acute base ; scales,
in about 24 vertical series, shiny, of a dirty yellowish straw colour. when dry,
rhomboidal, slightly produced into a bluntish appressed point, more or less deeply
grooved along the middle, especially in their posticous part; the margins finely
erose-denticulate. Seed solitary, completely filling the pericarpal cavity, and attached
to its base; its nucleus, is horizontally evolute in the middle of a copious
fleshy integument, and is considerably broader than high, almost reniform in a
vertical section, but somewhat varying in outline according to the deformation un-
dergone by the entire fruit; when normally evolute the nucleus is discoid-suborbi-
cular and depressel (in one specimen 22 mm. broad. and 10 mm. high}; its. surface,
when divested of the integument. is chestnut-brown, quite smooth and shiny; it
has the chalazal forea or apical intrusion of the integument (which is narrow and
deep in all the species of the Zuzalacca section) broad and shallow, orbicular,
9 mm. in diameter and 3 mm. deep; the integument is very abundant, pulpy,
juiey, very acid and firmly adherent to the nucleus; the albumen is homogeneous ;
the embryo is placed exactly in the centre of the base. The cavity of the peri.
carp is lined by the very thinly membranous endocarp, which has a silky surface,
and shows the obsolete markings of the external vascular ramifications of the seed
integument. The pericarp is, on the average, 3 mm. thick.
HanrraAT.—The Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Rhio and Bangka. (rifith writes that
this palm flourishes in very shady wet places in the great forests of Malacca, as
at Ching and Katawan. Ridley gives the following localities, viz., Singapore—Tanglin,
Bukit Timah, Bukit Mandai, ete.; Selangor—Kwala Lumpur; Perak; Dindings ;
Lumut; Rhio. He adds that it is very common in wet woods forming impene-
trable thickets in water. It occurs also in Bangka at Blinju, if 4 have correctly
identified some sterile specimens collected there by Grashoff (No. 59 in Buitenzorg
Herbarium). I have found this species in Borneo, at Kuching in Sarawak (P. B.
No. 249.) 5
Z. scortechinii. ZALACCA. ! 97
The pulp, or integument of the seed, whieh is intensely acid, is eaten by the
Malays. It receives the names of “Asam Paya” and “Kelubi” (Ridley). Griffith
says that it is the " Asam-Koomber" of Penang, and the " Asam-pajah” of the
Malays of Malacca. The same sagacious author adds: ‘I have not yet ascertained
what distinction is indicated by the two Malayan names bestowed on this species,
from which it is probable, at least so experience tells me, that there are two
distinct kinds, both presenting the same unusual sort of inflorescence, which is
analogous to that of the genus Elaeis. ” x
The “ Kelubi”, by Griffith supposed a separate species, may be that described
here below, or perhaps the male plant.
Osservarions.—It is a very distinct Palm, differing in some important
characters from the typical Zalaccas, but especially in the fruit, which I have
found constantly with only one seed, enveloped by a very copious integument, and
having the nucleus discoid, horizontally evolute, and showing a broad and shallow
apical chalazal fovea, instead of the usual narrow channel penetrating deeply into
substance of the albumen. Further Z. conferta is characterized by its leaves
regularly pinnate, having alternate, equidistant, straight, ^ oblanceolate-ensiform,
concolorous leaflets; by the female spadices erect, rigid, short and dense, bearing
glabrous, subsquarrose spikes; by the densely aggregate turbinate fruits, having
polished, deeply grooved seales with bluntish appressed tips.
Most probably Z. conferta is (in the same way as the true Zalacca) a
dioecious Palm, and its male plant is unknown. Griffith writes: ‘That the
spadices have polygamous. spikes on different individuals", but apparently he, like
myself, had opportunity to dissect only female’ spadices, which appear polygamous,
but most probably their male flowers (although apparently normally evolute), have
only sterile anthers. If the male spadix had not (as is the general rule in all
Zalaccas) two equal male flowers at each spathel, this (added to its other special
characters) would be another good argument for considering Z. conferta as the
representative of a distinct genus.
Pratt 60.—Zalacca conferta Grifi.—Female spadix (in two halves) bearing
spikes with not fully developed flowers ; detached spike with young fruits ;.
portion of the head formed by the mature fruits ; one fruit cut open vertically
showing the solitary seed entire and in situ ; vertical section of the fruit cut
through the seed ; half the pericarp, showing its cavity ; seeds cut vertically into
halves. From P. B. No. 249 in Herb. Beccari. The fruits from specimens in
alcohol.
x
13. ZaLaAccA ScortecHINI Bece. sp. n.
Description.—Apparently a smaller plant than Z. conferta. Leaves having a
subterete petiolar part, 1:5 m. long, 1 cm. thick (in one specimen), armed with
few, distant, scattered, solitary, rigid spines, 10—15 mm. long, apparently only some
of the lowest being confluent ; the rhachis, in its intermediate part, is bifaced
above, rounded below, where it is armed along the centre with a line of small,
distant, ascendent prickles. Leaflets numerous, equidistant, 5—7 cm. apart on each
side of the rhachis, green and dull on both surfaces, distinctly sigmoid, equally
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
98 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Z. scortechinii.
narrowing towards both ends, the base rather acute and considerably curved, the
upper end falcately acuminate to a fine tip ; the main nerves or costae are 8,
smooth, slender, but sharp on the upper surface ; there are 3 rather distinct
secondary nerves on each side of the mid-costa ; transverse veinlets rather sharp,
much interrupted, 2—3 mm. apart ;' margins sparingly spinulous and only from the
middle upwards ; the intermediate leaflets are 45 cm. long 3—3°5 cm. wide. The
fruiting spadiæ is very much like that of Z. conferta, but smaller’; the spikes are
smaller, 8—11 em. long, 17 mm. in diameter. The female and neuter flowers are
the same. The ‘frui is apparently smaller, and more regularly globose than in
Z. conferta, 2—2'5 cm. in diameter ; the scales are very neatly grooved along the
centre. The seed (not quite mature) is discoid. The pericarp seems thinner than
in Z. conferta.
Hasirat.—Collected by Father Scorteckini in the district of Perak in the Malay
Peninsula ; the precise locality not stated. è
OnsERVATIONS.— The description of this new species is derived from a portion
of a spadix with nearly mature fruits accompanied by portions of a leaf ; the
whole found among the Palms of Scortechini in a separate parcel, bearing as the
only note: “Udang” which probably is the native name of the plant. I have
little or no doubt that the fragments of a leaf accompanying the spadix do really
beloag to this plant, although the leaf differs considerably from that of Z.
conferta, whereas the spadix is very similar. Z. Scortechini differs in many,
respects from Z. conferta, viz., in being a smaller plant, with leaves having the
petiole armed with short, single, scattered spines, but more especially in having
distinctly sigmoid leaflets and also in its’ smaller spadix, with smaller and
rounder fruits.
Prare 61.—Zalacca Scortechinii Bece.—An almost entire petiole, and inter-
mediate portion of a leaf ; spadix with not quite mature fruits, From Scortechini’s
specimen in Herb. Beccari.
Latin Dragnosis—Zalacca Scortechinii Bece. sp. nov. Minor ; frondium petiolo
valde elongato, spinis. paucis remotis sparsis raro confluentibus armato ; segmentis
numerosis, aequidistantibus, utrinque viridibus, falcato-sigmoideis, 3-costulatis ;
fruetibus minoribus rotundatis.
PIGAFETTA 99
PIGAFETTA Becc.
Becc. Malesia i, 89 (Pigafettia); Benth. and Hook. Gen. PI. iii, 933—Metroxylon
sect. Pigafetta Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm iii, 343.
A dioecious polycarpie large,tree, with a very tall stem and an extensive
crown of very large leaves ; the old leaves deciduous, leaving the trunk smooth
after their fall. Leaves having a broad basal and embracing spinous part, a stout
petiole (also spinous), and numerous subtrieostulate straight, ensiform, acuminate,
bifarious leaflets. Male and female spadices nearly similar, axillary, elongate,
furnished with numerous but all incomplete spathes, and divided into several
elongate tail-like branches, which are clothed with tubular, closely sheathing,
approximate spathes and carry numerous slender spikelets. The spikes, both male
and female, are amentiform and inserted at the bottom of their respective spathes
by means of a very narrow elongate pedicellar part. Male spikes have very
closely packed, geminate flowers, each pair of which is suffulted by a very small
membranous bract, and is accompanied by tufts of hairs, representing the special
flower bracteoles. Male flowers small and clavate ; the calyx campanulate, entire at
first, then split into 3 parts ; the corolla has a narrow solid base and is divided into
‘3 valvate segments ; stamens 6, inserted at the throat of the corolla. the filaments
short, the anthers basifixed ; no rudiment of an ovary. Female spikes covered all
round with flowers, solitary at the axillas of the bracts and immersed in tufts of
hairs. Female flowers globose; the calyx cupular-urceolate, at first entire, later more
or less split ; the corolla parted nearly to the base into 3 broad segments ; the stamens
form with the united bases of their filaments a shallow cup, crowned by 6 teeth,
bearing large sterile anthers; ovary uniloeular from the incompletely evolute dissepi-
ments, globose, covered with a ‘few large scales ; style very short; stigmas trigonous,
fleshy, spreading ; ovules 3, basilar. Frut very small, monospermous, loricate with
few relatively large scales. Seed covered by a. fleshy integument; albumen
homogenous ; embryo opposite to a deep chalazal fovea.
The genus Pigafetta which Martius regarded as only a section of Metroxylon, is
in reality a quite distinct genus, as i$ proved by its polycarpic nature, the plant
producing a large number of axillary spadices, and having quite different male and
female flowers and fruit.
In fact Pigafetta is not closely allied to any other known genus of Lepidocaryeae
and is especially characterized by its arborous nature; by its dioecious axillary
spadices ; by its ‘small male and female flowers, crowded on slender amentiform
spikes and quite different in the two sexes (the male flowers being geminate, and
the female solitary at each spathel); and by its small calamoid fruit.
Description oF Prate VI.—B.
Fies. 1-8.—Pigafetta filaris Bece.—Fig. 1. Male flower during the anthesis.—
Fig 2, vertical section of the expanded corolla.—Fig. 3-4. Full grown male-flower-
buds.—Fig. 5. Female flower.—Fig. 6. Female flower, the corolla alone.—Fig. 7.
Female flower, the nectarium and the ovary alone.—Fig. 8. Vertical section of the
ovary. All figures enlarged about 10 diameters.
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
100 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. filaris.
PiGAFETTA FILARIS Becc. Malesia, i, 89 (Pigafettia.).
Metroxylon filare Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ili, 216 and 343; Mig. FI. Ind. Bat.
in, 149. |
Sagus filaris Bl. Rumphia. ii, 154 and 128.
Metroxylon elatum Mart. l. c. 216.
Sagus elata Reinw. ex Mart. l. c.; Blume, Rumphia, ii, 156 t. 128, fig. 1.
Sagus microcarpa Zipp. in Bijdr. Nat. Wet. xv, 178. (ex Miq.)
Metroxylon microcarpum Mart. l. c. 216; Kunth, Enum. Plant iii, 215.
Sagus microsperma Zipp. l. c. | |
Metroxylon microspermum Mart. l. c. ; Kunth, l. c.
Pigafettia papuana Becc. Malesia i, 89.
Sagus filaris Rumph, Herb. Amb i, 84, t. 19.
Calamus Kunzeanus Becc. in Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta, xi, 492, pl. 226
IV, f. 14-19 and Suppl. I, III and in Webbia iii, 244.
Description.—A very fine dioecious palm, up to 30 m. high. Stem solitary
(non-soboliferous), straight, cylindrical, marked by the approximate scars of the
fallen leaves; the wood very hard. Leaves very large, about 6 m. long,
spreading, the old leaves reflexed and deciduous; leaf-sheaths short, embracing, fur-
nished with narrow membranous, transverse, interrupted crests, bearing numerous
pectinately set spinescent bristles; petiole very stout and also armed with comb-like
series of spinescent bristles ; the rhachis is broadly channelled on the upper
surface of its lower portion, has an obtuse prominent angle above and is more or
less furnished underneath and throughout with bristly spines. Leaflets very numer-
ous, very regularly equidistant and very regularly bifarious in one plane, straight,
broadly linear-ensiform, long-acuminate, attached to the rhachis by a rather broad
base with reduplicate margins ; they are rigidly papyraceous or thinly coriaceous,
green on both surfaces, but slightly paler on lower, not very conspicuously 3- cos-
tulate, having the mid-costa very robust and prominent, slightly spinulous, but
only towards the upper end, and only on the upper surface, obtuse and completely
devoid of scales or spinules underneath ; the side-costae slender, completely smooth,
or in the leaves of young plants slightly spinulous ; the intermediate leaflets of
full grown plants 1°2-15 m. long, 5-65 cm. wide; those above become gradu-
ally smaller, more acuminate, and more distant, till the uppermost are only 30—40
em. long; the lowest are narrower, more approximate, and distinctly callous at
their axillas. Spadices axillary, several flowering at the same time, furnished
with several incomplete, coriaceous, sheathing spathes, of which the outermost are
shorter than the inner, flattened and truncated at their months, the innermost
gradually extended beyond those below. Male and female spadices are similar as
regards their branching, but appear different from the different aspect of the spikes;
are considerably shorter than the leaves, 1'6—2 m. long, and form large, flaccid,
dependent panicles, divided into several, elongate, tail-like partial inflorescences.
or Spike bearing branchlets; the latter are 60—70 cm. long, each furnished at
the base with a coriaceous spathe, shaped like an ass's ear, tubular in its lower
P. filaris. PIGAFETTA. 101
portion, but unclosing and spreading open above into a triangular acute limb
fugaciously clothed» with a fulvous scurf; the axial part of the branchlets is
terete, about 1 cm. in diameter at the base, gradually diminishing above; its
spathes are papyraceous, glabrous, smooth, finely striately-veined, tubular, closely
sheathing, obliquely and lunately excavate at thé mouth, and there prolonged at
one side into a triangular-ciliolate point; the lowest is 35-4 cm. long; the
others gradually smaller. Male and female spikes attached by a very slender,
strongly flattened pedicellar part to the bottom of their respective spathes and
more or less produced beyond these. Male spikes slender, flexuose, the lowest borne
on a pedicellar part 6-7 cm. long (shorter in those which follow), not broader
than 1°5 mm., flattened-laminar, strongly-striate ; the flower bearing portion of
the spikes is 8-9 mm. in diameter (when covered with fully developed flowers),
10-12 cm. long, in the spikes of the lower part of the branches, but only 7-8 in
those of the apex. The axis of the spikes is slender, and after the fall of
the flowers acquires a villose appearance from the persistent spathels, which are
represented by small membranous striately-veined bracteoles having a broad base,
which suddenly attenuate to a subulate, spreading point, and are accompanied at
each ‘side by brush-like tufts. of hairs, which replace the special bracteoles of
the flowers. The male flowers are very closely packed, in pairs at each spathel,
and completely cover the axis of the spikes, on which their insertion is marked
by two very small, elongate, contiguous scars. The flower-buds not regularly
ovoid, are obsoletely, trigonous, 3—3°5 mm. long; the calyx is thinly membranous,
cupular-campanulate, strongly-striately-veined, and with 3, often unequal, short or
obtuse teeth; at the time of the anthesis the flowers lengthen wut to 4 or
45 mm., the calyx becomes almost inflate, and usually splits open irregularly ; the
corolla is twice as long as the calyx ; the portion covered by the calyx is narrow
and solid and is parted above into three cartilaginous ovate-cymbiform, acute, exter-
nally finely striate segments. Stamens 6, inserted at the throat of the corolla ; the
filaments short, triangular and shortly united by their bases; anthers basifixed, ovate-
sagittate, rather acute, the cells opening laterally : . rudimentary ovary obsolete
Female spikes thicker than the male ones, and similarly provided with a very
slender pedicellar part ; the flower-bearing part is 7—10 cm. long, terete, of a tomentose
appearance, 4 mm. in diameter, not including the flowers. The axis of the spikes
is slender and woody, and the spathels, which are inserted all round it, are very .
small, bracteiform, subulate, very similar to those of the male spikes, and
completely concealed by a pale yellowish tomentum, their tips (only) protruding
above it; the flowers themselves are almost buried in a nestlike cup, formed
of radiating hairs. Female flowers solitary ( ie., unaccompanied by a neuter), small,
globose, 2°5 mm. in diameter at the time of the anthesis; the ealyx cupular-
urceolate, its mouth truncate, thinly membranous, strongly-veined-costulate ; the
corolla deeply parted into 3 thickly membranous striately veined segments, broadly
ovate, their triangular points only protruding beyond the calyx. The ,androecium is
well developed, having large erect sagittate-acuminate anthers nearly as long as
the segments of the corolla but sterile and membranous-hyaline; the filaments by
their broadened, connate bases, form a tica cup, crowned with 6 short
triangular teeth; ovary globose, covered with a few relatively large fimbriate
102 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. P. filaris.
scales, unilocular from the incomplete development of the dissepiments; style
very short; stigmas thick, elonzate-trizonous, spreading; ovules 3, basilar, erect.
Fruit small. when thoroughly mature only slightly longer than broad.
10-12 mm. in diameter; before perfect maturity of course smaller and very
broadly ovoid or subobovoid; it is always rounded at both ends, but
especially at the apex, where it is not mucronate; scales in 12-13 longi-
tudinal series, very few in each series (5-6 only well formed), shiny, straw-
coloured, relatively large, rather yconvex, channelled along the middle with a
narrow dark-brown or blackish marginal line, their apices very obtuse, the margins
finely erosely-toothed. The pericarp is very thin and’ fragile. Seed ellipsoid,
somewhat flattened, 7-8 mm. long, 5-6 mm. broad and 3°5-4 mm. thick; its
surfaco unequal from small depressions and straight ridges (when it is cleared of
the crustaceous and brittle but once fleshy integument), which radiate especially
from the chalazal fovea; the latter deep, circular, placed in the centre of the
raphal side; albumen equable; embryo in the centre of the face opposite to the
chalazal fovea. Fruiting perianth not accrescent, explanate, 5 mm. in diameter;
calyx splitting down to the base into 3 very broad, almost orbicular, very
broadly-striately veined lobes; the segments of the corolla as long as the calyx,
ovate, and also striately veined. It is one of the tallest of Palms.
HanrrAr.—Celebes; the Moluccas; New Guinea; Indo-China. It seems a
Palm more frequent in Celebes than elsewhere. From North Celebes I have seen
specimens collected by Warburg at Bojon; by the Brothers Sarasin at Tomohon in
the Prov. of Minahassa (No. 801 in Berlin Herb.) and Koorders (No. 18427B in
Herb. Bogdf.). ; According to Rumph it grows also in Ceram and Buru. In N.-
W. New Guinea, Pigafetta is apparently a rather common plant. I collected
specimens of the male plant (P. papuana Becc.) at Andai at the foot of Mt.
Arfak, and Te/jsmann gathered the fruits in Pulo Roon (Herb. Bogor.) and Miss.
L. S. Gibbs at Manokoari. . 4
Its presence in Indo-China rests on some loose fruits collected by O. Kunze
in Cambodia. |
The rather wide geographical distribution of this Palm is probably due to its
small innumerable fruits, provided with a rather ‘scanty but fleshy pulp, which
‘are almost certainly used by birds for food, especially wild pigeons. which are
some of the most effective agents of dissemination in the Papuan and Malayan
Islands.
OpsERVATIONS.—I have based the description above mainly on specimens
gathered from plants cultivated in the Botanical Garden at Buitenzorg, but the
fruits of the wild plants from Celebes and New Guinea are quite identical with
those of the cultivated.
I think there is only one species of Pigafetta, as the specifical differences
between Metroxylon filare and M. elatum indicated. by Blume, Martius and Miquel
seem to me very obscure, and I have not noticed any diagnostie character among
the numerous specimens of Pigafetta examined by me. The size and form of its
3
P. filaris. PIGAFETTA. 103
fruits are very variable features depending upon the degree of maturation ; this is
because the fleshy integument of the seed, which, as often happens in similar
fruits of Lepidocaryeae, increases in volume in the last stage of maturity and
dilates the scaly pericarp.
The calyx of the male flowers is always entire in the flowers before they
open, but split into 3 parts afterwards, and offers no characters whereby P. elata
can be distinguished from P. filarís. In the plate of Sagus filaris, Rumphia 128,
the corpuscules which are shown on the midcosta on the lower surface of the
leaflets, look like spinules, but I have never seen spinules or scales or paleoles on
the lower surface of the leaflets in any of the numerous specimens of Pigafetta
seen by me, whether considered as P. filaris or as P. elata. Miquel also
describes (Fl..Ind. Bat. iii, 149), but I think erroneously, the mid-costa of the
leaflets "subtus paleolis inspersa." On the upper surface the mid-eosta of the
leaflets is frequently spinulous towards the upper end, and in leaves of young
plants the side costa are spinulous also. i
I now regard P. papuana as quite identical with P. filaris.
The figure in Martius iii, t. 102, said to represent the whole plant of Sagus
elata, is another Palm, apparently an Arecinea. A good representation of Pigafetta
has been given in the book of P. and Fr. Sarasin (Reisen in Celebes 1, p. 54).
PLATE 62.—Pigafetta filaris Becc.— The end of a leaf; one of the branches of ©
the male spadix ; the base of the petiole ; a very young spadix. From plants
cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Beccari).
PLate 63.—Pigafetta filaris “Bece:—Branch of the female spadix ‘in flower ;
fruiting branch ; intermediate leaflets from a young and very robust plant. From
plants cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Beccari). Spike with thoroughly mature
fruits and seed, from Bojong in Celebes.
Prats 63A.—Pigafetta filaris Bece. in the Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg.
104 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Korthalsia.
KORTHALSIA BI.
Dl. Rumphia ii, 166, t. 130, f. 2 (Ceratolobus Blume ibid, iii, t. 197-157 B)
Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. in, 210, 343, t. 172, f. 1; Mig. FI. Ind. Bat. iii, 74, 75
and Prodr. Fl. Sum. 591 and De Palm. Are. Ind. 15-26; Walp. Ann. iii, 499 ;
Bece. Malesia, ii, 62, t. V, VI, VII and 275; Benth. etd. Hook. Gen. PI. iii.
932 ; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 474; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 214:
Kurz in Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. xviii, II (1874), 206 t. XX A and XXI;
Forest Fl. Brit. Burma, ii, 512. — Calamosagus Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v,
6 and Palms Brit. Ind. 26, t. 175 and 180 ce; App. XIX.
Climbing, calamoid, monocarpic, hermaphrodite, spinose . palms, bearing a
terminal branched diffuse panicle. Zeaves of the lower part of the stem or of
young plants non-cirriferous, terminated by a leaflet; those of the adult plant
cirriferous. Leaf—sheaths elongate, more or less spinous, not flagelliferous, not
gibbous above and gradually passing. into the petiol:, prolonged beyond the insertion
of the petiole into a distinct ocrea, frequently inflate, and ant-harbouring. Leaflets
mostly rhomboidal, trapezoidal or cuneate with several radiate nerves, more
rarely narrow and elongate, but always pluricostulate and more or less toothed
or praemorse at the upper end, and attached to the rhachis through a small
pedieellar part (ansa). Panicle composed of several spike-bearing branches, issuing from
the sheath of more or less reduced leaves ; the branches are sheathed by several
tubular spathes. Spikes amentiform, formed by very approximate membranous spathels,
each shielding only one hermaphrodite flower, which is provided with bracteoles more
or less woolly or covered with paleaceous hairs. Flowers small; the calyx cam-
panulate-cyathiform or eupular, more or less 3-lobed ; the corolla longer than the
calyx, parted in the portion remaining outside the calyx into 3 cartilaginous or
thinly coriaceous segments, entire and tubular or ventrieose in its lower part ;
stamens with filaments adnate to the undivided part of the corolla, forming a small
ring at its throat, and having a short, thick, free part ; anthers short, erect, inserted
near the base, and having parallel cells, opening on the sides. Ovary incompletely
3-locular or with rudimentary dissepiments, ovoid, prolonged into a thick, elongate-
conical style, and terminated by 3 very minute, acute, punctiform stigmas. Ovules
a basilar, erect, anatropous. Fruit monospermous, the pericarp covered with im--
bricating scales. Seed erect, enveloped with a scanty fleshy or spongy integument ;
the nucleus not pitted on the surface, but marked by a conspicuous lateral
chalazal fovea, or a deep intrusion of the integument ; albumen homogeneous or
ruminate ; embryo lateral.
A very natural genus, easily recognizable, even in a sterile condition, by the
special nature of its leaves, having, indeed, leaflets of various shapes, but always
with several main nerves and with a more or less toothed or praemorse extremity
and furnished with a small pedicellar part or “ansa”. A peculiar character of
Korthalsia is also the great development of the appendage at the mouth of the
leaf-sheaths (the ocrea) which at times is transformed into a swollen and entirely
closed ant-harbouring organ or nidus,- of a constant form for every species
Korthalsia. KORTHALSIA. 105
(K. scaphigera, scaphigeroides, Echinometra, horrida, Cheb, angustifolia, Scortechinit, furcata).
Regarding the biology of Korthalsia I refer the reader to my article on the
* Piante ospitatrici’’ (Malesia, ii, p. 62). In K. robusta and K. macrocarpa, the
ocreae do not form an entirely closed. dwelling for ants, but take the shape of
large cornets embracing the base of the ‘sheaths immediately above them, and at
times attaining the extraordinary. length of 30 to 40 cm. In most species, however,
the ocreae are cylindrical, closely sheathing, and often partially disintegrated into a
fibrous net. The form and peculiarities of the ocrea afford often the best characters
by which to distinguish the species, even if flowers and fruit be wanting. The ,
nature, origin, and function of the ant-harbouring organs, not only in Korthaisia,
but in numerous other myrmecophilous plants, and most of all, in Myrmecodia and
Hydnophythum have been much discussed. With regard to this subject I retain my
old opinion that, such organs are now hereditary, but that they owed their origin
to the effects of the stimulus exerted by ants on certain organs of the plants,
of which the tissues were capable of a. reactive power during the remote
period of the plasmation Epoch, when heredity had not yet acquired its actual
conservative power. (See Beccari * Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo,”
pp. 35, 209 and seq.) The Korthalsías have been, for a long time, only very
imperfectly known, and it was generally believed that they were bisexual plants.
In reality they have only one kind of amentiform or catkin-like spikes, which at
times closely resemble those of Metroxylon, but which differ from them in having
only one hermaphrodite flower in the axillas of very closely packed spathels.
Although I had for several years made every effort to obtain the flowers and
fruits of the several species of Korthalsta, there are even now at least 8-4 species
which are represented in Herbaria only by sterile specimens. This is explained
by the circumstance that the stems or Rotangs of Korthalsias are very eagerly
searched for and much valued by the natives, but on account of their monocarpic
nature are very seldom to be met with im the accessible parts of the forest,
either in flower or in fruit, for the stems are almost always cut down before they
can produce the inflorescence. The species of Calamus are more easily found in a
fertile condition, as they are polycarpic plants, beginning to bear early.
\
The Rotangs or naked canes of Korthalsias being very tough, are very much
used by the natives for tying and other uses, but have not much value as a
commercial product, not having a fine and polished surface.
The Korthalsias are apparently soboliferous plants, and have like other
calamoid palms, ‘stems very slender in the early period of their life, but gradually
thickening with age, their greatest diameter being attained at their upper’ end
at the time of flowering. 7
1
In connexion with the Myrmecophilism of Korthalszas, it has to be remarked
that apparently certain species are furnished with extranuptial nectaries in the axillas
of the leaflets, in the shape of conspicuous callosities or cushions; analogous
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
—
106 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Korthalsia.
‘ organs are also frequently found, but on a smaller scale, at the base of the ansae
of the leaflets.
As in Calamus some species of Korthalsia have a seed with homogeneous
albumen (A. gracilis, K. Zippelii, K. macrocarpa), but more frequently the seed has
a ruminate albumen (K. scaphigera, K. laciniosa, K. ferox, K. Tetjsmannit, K.
Junghuhnit). .
The leaves of Korthalsia vary greatly according to the age of the plant. The
primordial leaves are entire, oblong or spathulate (K. rigida and K. flagellaris), or
simply forked (K. scaphigera); those of plants that are just forming a stem are
always terminated by a leaflet, simple or bipartite; only the leaves of the upper
part of the adult plants are constantly cirriferous. I know of only one species
(K. fureata) that appears to retain the primitive form of leaves into the adult
stage, and has therefore non-cirriferous leaves only; but of that species
the flowering plant is not known, and possibly the leaves of the upper part
of the plant, nearing the stage of flowering, also follow the rule and become
; cirriferous.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.— Korthalsía is pre-eminently a Malayan genus, having
its centre, as regards number of species, in Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, and in
Sumatra; it has however a few representatives in Java, in the smaller Sunda
Islands, in the Andamans and in the Nicobars, in Indo-China, in the Philippines,
in Celebes and in New Guinea. Borneo is the region’ richest in Korthalsia, 12
species, of which 8 are endemic having been discovered there; then comes the
Malay Peninsula with 8 species, 3 of which are endemie, and Sumatra with 7
species, of which only K. robusta is not known as growing elsewhere, although
closely related to the Bornean K. macrocarpa.
At least 3 species grow in the Philippines,—K. scaphigeroides, K. squarrosa, and
K. Merrillit, al evidently derived from Malayan species; in fact K. scaphigeroides
only slightly differs from K. scaphigera; K. squarrosa is evidently related to K.
robusta of Sumatra, and even more closely to K. macrocarpa, a palm growing in
the marshy grounds of the littoral regions of South Borneo. K. Merrill appears
to be related to a Korthalsta recently discovered (sterile) in Celebes, itself seemingly
an ally of the Bornean K. feroz.
H
K. laciniosa is perhaps the most widely dispersed species, attaining at the
same time the most northerly latitude, having been found near Salween in Tenas-
wt serim; otherwise the genus is entirely absent from the true Indian Flora. K.
laciniosa is also a common plant in the Andamans and Nicobars and in the Mergui
Archipelago, and probably it extends into lower Indo-China ; it is apparently a sea-
coast palm, a circumstance to which we may attribute, perhaps, its relatively wide
geographical distribution, and the presence of its very closely allied species K.
ferox and K. Teysmannit in the neighbouring countries.
Korthalsia.
KORTHALSIA.
107
Korthalsia Zippelii, widely spread all over New Guinea, and growing also in
the Aru Islands, is the only represeniative of the
to the eastward of Celebes. *
genus Korthalsia found, as yet,
; | a Des | |
jes ae E | F4 3.4
Korthalsia, E < : | : E È ; , | ; ; j E i i | i E
Sla js beth ai a |] ape SS IR dai 3
1. K. scaphigera Mart. - È le + — Eo wooden i] cm oro WES ies a
9. K. scaphigeroides Becc. ... | eum. vie; F usi Mele TE napo ; sss ree a s5 gaasis Met x
3. K. Echinometra Bece. +» | +» oo - + | cono + + oso | smee TG] cesso oe
4. K. horrida Bece. OE DORUM Ere & xcci MU greed deseee we È ‘veve + les - dui
FA RR PAIA o e nt OI see [owe ASI pup om — de. bine E 4 Pus
6. K. Scortechinii Becc. + | sse. unroso | covess. | seosse Ae b even Loréeeem s doc Pen fe p rna | de
7. Ke angustifolia Bl. «|... | | strate TELE ees od pie Sr eto gi TA “4 - -— Rav
8. K. furcata Becc. ee] | mo] a We) | [Tenses sus Lo Weber LT dna E on Lobo A t
9, K, paucijuga Bece. Agi ng) PIRAS SEA] P prod DITE RI TE A crit pee NT Nt o E e E e "Bh
ir debe oov aan enn me poema eqs c stem de |. mapa ] i inen + x
11. K. rigida Bl. E PG n EI PARI Fas SSA + | sesso + Ez 4- Hf FAN
bh. k dati Mig: s o Deep o see ] mm pom pn d omo ote pm TIER edd ded. ea
13. K. Merrillii Becc. se se [omm | e suu decns D Mns CR Nae i Pena E | opnous T SITI I Sta i +
TR ee Be O c6 9t owe [mme | oem op on T err - [^ € -
15. K. Rogersii Bece. s.e = s+ | +. Spe i rela fr o n o c tare E] Me E
16. K. tenuissima Becc. ee qo races LO SS do" oer doo gd d oem ient t| etm [men p cte 3
17. K. laciniosa Mart. + + + + -—- o ANO Lowe C] eei dccem ene e fe + ws
1$. K. Teysmannii Miq. ` ses | coon | ssr fo ossea | otv Jii seme + STE DO SN LT Lp ain "Rd a E
15. K. ferox Becc. un cpu A Laien ^d ee EA me AU Sao ciet C D ner EC eH e T PES
XAR. melaysna] o9 | eM] tm BO bs Remy d ism dp ree rimi Sl e c T Lon core -
Becc.
90. K. Wallichiæfotia Wendl, | sese | see | see | + + de d TAR] SE pem e TUS
Hoo." Thiledéss EUR euro rie. Komm, A aaa, Remick scene dae: Ulead ti Cene + M d
22, K. flagellaris M iq. -— eresie | vrecsò RN AE + | €] + dea e ove + ed vie --
e E HORMONE rode om dom] ia dome mmo ome ome cpm OTT oe rs se Da + cà
Pg Thos ANONSE Lo seem OOo oli Fa cai (eee bu] DAR OCRA) Gola e. IU vent: Con n eee severe | scasso serasa e ds E
Becc.
24, K. robusta Bl. E we Ae d. a ee 0| ctm vasis d RE Zoe + e | tmm TTT seese |: ‘ereoso - “7 - a
25. K. macrocarpa Becco =x» | [| £M | senno | vides (TT coso |" cesss0 | NE + m RA vé
36. K.squatross Bec... oe pom] eod Impr "d Er NE Er ceo — e + dd
Lilli cli cile
KORTHALSIA.
i Key
A.—Spikes amentiforn having very closely packed and appressed spathels.
I.— crea inflated.
* Leaves pinnate with several leaflets
+ Leaflets cuneately rhomboidal. Ocrea small, armed with very short
TO THE SPECIES.
spines. i
Ocrea oblong or ovate, not more than twiee as long as broad.
Leaflets whitish underneath or only paler below than above.
I. KR. scaphigera Mart.—Malay
Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo.
Peninsula,
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA. Vol. XIL
108 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Korthalsia.
Oerea elongate—elliptieal, two or three times longer than broad.
Leaflets conspicuously mealy-white underneath.
/ 2. K. scaphigeroides Becc—Philippines.
TT Leaflets elongate narrowing at apex. Ocrea large, elliptical, armed
with very long spines.
Leaflets linear—lanceolate having smooth, or sparingly spinous
nerves.
3. K. Echinometra Becc.—Malay Penin-
sula, Sumatra, Bangka, Borneo.
Leaflets elongate—ensiform, copiously spinulous on the main
nerves.
: 4. K. horrida Bece.— Borneo.
TTT Leaflets elongate—cuneate or cuneately rhomboidal. Ocrea very
large, several times longer than broad, armed with short spines.
Ocrea cylindraceous, thickly coriaceous, very long; leaflets
elongately cuneate-rhomboidal.
5. K. Cheb Becec.—Borneo.
Ocrea fusiform, thinly coriaceous, leaflets narrow, very long
cuneate.
6. K. Scortechinii Becc.—Malay Peninsula.
Ocrea fusiform, rather. thinly coriaceous; leaflets cuneately
oblanceolate or cuneate-rhomboidal, acuminate.
7. K. angustifolia Bl—Borneo.
** Leaves furcate or formed by only two linear segments.
s 8. K. furcata Becc— Borneo.
II.— Ocrea not inflated.
* Leaves (of the adult plant) having only 3 leaflets on each side of the
eirriferous rhachis.
Petiole very short ; leaflets cuneately oblong, besprinkled on the
lower surface with minute ferruginous dots.
9. K. paucijuga Becc—Borneo.
** Leaves having 4 or more rhomboidal leaflets on each side of the
rhachis.
f Slender plants (sheathed stem 4-18 mm. in diam.).
Korthalsia. KORTHALSIA. 109
$ Leaflets whitish beneath ; spikes of slightly tomentose appearance.
Flowers almost entirely exserted from their involucra. Seed
with homogeneous albumen.
10. K. debiis Bi —Sumatra. Borneo.
$$ Leaflets slightly paler beneath than above; spikes slender of a
glabrous appearance ; the spathels are produced somewhat beyond:
the wool of the flower bracts.
Leaflets at first subglaucous beneath,
on both surfaees. Fruit very small.
11. K. rigida }3\.—Malay Peninsula, Sumatra,
Bangka, Billiton.
later almost equally green
Leaflets at first whitish beneath, later only slightly paler than
above. Fruit globose-turbinate, 14-15 mm. in diam. Seed with
albumen ruminate.
12. K. Junghuhnii Mig—Java.
Ld
$8$ Leaflets green or nearly so on both surfaces.
tose appearance (not known in K. celebica).
Ocrea very densely spinous. Leaflets having the upper
margins very acutely toothed ; the two lowest leaflets of
each leaf much smaller than the mesial.
13. K. Merrillii Bocc Philippines.
Spikes of tomen-
Ocrea unarmed. Leaflets having the upper margin
obtusely toothed; the two lower | leaflets
about as large as the mesial.
14. K. celebica Becc—Celebes.
very
of every leaf
Ocrea unarmed. Leaflets having the upper margin very
acutely toothed; the two lower leaflets of every leaf
smaller than the mesial. Fruit globose, relatively large,
15 mm. broad, with scales having the tip appressed and
the margins ciliate, very slender.
15. K. Rogersii Becc—Andamans.
$$$$ Leaflets chalky white underneath.
Sheathed stem 4—5 mm. in diam. Ocrea smooth. Inflorescence
formed of only 2—3 spikes.
16. K. tenuissima Becc—Malay Peninsula
Tf Large with robust stem (sheathed stem over 2 cm. in diam.).
$ Spikes thickish of tomentose appearance, the spathels being almost
entirely immersed in the wool of the flower bracts.
O Spadices simply branched.
110 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Korthalsia.
A Leaflets broad, rhomboidal, having the upper margins double
toothed, the teeth aristate or at least acute. Seed with
ruminate albumen.
Fruit obovoid, suddenly long-beaked, 11 mm. broad,
having subsquarrose scales with fringed margins and
the tip not produced.
17. K. laciniosa Mart—Tenasserim, Mergui,
Andamans, Nicobars.
. Fruit obovate-turbinate. 17-18 mm. in diam., having
subsquarrose scales with produced conspicuously
ciliately fringed tips.
18. K. Teysmannii \ig.—Singapore, Su-
matra, Java.
Fruit oblong-clavate, having scales with minutely
ciliately fringed margins and obtuse appressed
tips. Ocrea unusually armed with large spines.
19. K. ferox Decc.—Dorneo.
A smaller plant. Fruit unknown.
K. ferox s. malayana Becc-Malay.
Peninsula.
AA Leaflets broadly rhomboidal, obtusely toothed (Fruit un-
known).
Leaflets, numerous, alternate. :
20. K. Wallichiaefolia Wendl.—Malay
Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra.
Leaflets very few opposite, or nearly so.
21. K. Hallieriana Decc.—Dorneo.
A A å Leaflets linear-cuneate or cuneate, ferruginous under-
neath, having the upper margin nearly truncate,
deeply and sharply toothed. Ocrea very long
(20-30 cm.).
22. K. flagellaris \ig.—Malay Peninsula
Sumatra, Billiton, Borneo.
OO Spadix having the primary branches “sub-divided into
smaller | spike-bearing branchlets. Seed with
homogeneous albumen. Leaflets large, elongate-
rhomboidal, having the upper margin acutely
toothed.
Korthalsia. KORTHALSIA. 111
#
Panicles elongate.
23. K. Zippelii B\.—New-Guinea.
Panicles ovate.
K. Zippelii vark. aruensis Becc.—Aru
Islands.
B. Spikes relatively large, of squarrose appearance, the spathels being scarious
and not very appressed. Flowers relatively large. Seed having a deep intrusion
of the integument and a homogeneous albumen.
Ocrea cornet-shaped, very elongate, narrowing above. Flowers with
the style reaching only to the throat of the corolla.
24. K. robusta Bl—Sumatra.
Ocrea cornet-shaped, narrowing above, very long (20-40 cm.).
Leaflets having a very long and slender ansa. Flowers with the
style surpassing the throat of the corolla and reaching to about
midway of the anthers.
25. K. macrocarpa Becc.—Borneo.
C. Ocrea truncate, about 12 cm. long. Leaflets having a rather short ansa
(5-12 mm. long). Flowers with the style surpassing the throat of the corolla,
and reaching to about midway of the anthers.
26. K. squarrosa Becc.—Philippines.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE IV.
Figs. 1—6. Korthalsia macrocarpa Becc.—Fig. 1. Flower having the spathel
behind and accompanied with its woolly bracteoles.—Fig. 2. Flower stripped of
one of the division of the corolla and of two stamens, showing the pistil with
the stigmas protruding above the throat of the corolla.—Fig. 3. Vertical section
of a flower showing the ovary entire.—Fig. 4. Vertical section of the ovary
(All the preceding figures enlarged 7 diameters).—Fig. 5-6. Vertical and
horizontal sections of the seed, twice enlarged. ;
Fia. 7—8. Korthalsia robusta Bl.—Fig. 7. Flower entire.—Fig. 8. The same
flower in vertical section showing the pistil entire with the stigmas attaining -
only the throat of the corolla ‘enlarged 7 diameters).
Fig. 9—15. Korthalsia scaphigera Mart.—Fig. 9. Full grown flower bud with
its faleate woolly braeteoles and the spathel behind.—Fig. 10. The same flower
with its spathel—Fig. 11. Entire full grown flower bud.—Fig. 12. Flower bud
stripped of two divisions of the corolla, and showing the androecium entire.—Fig. 13.
Vertical section of a flower bud showing the ovary entire and £n situ (all the
preceding figures enlarged 7 diameters).—Fig. 14-15. Vertical and horizontal
sections of the seed (X2)—Fig. 16. Diagram of a spathel with its flower and
bracteoles.
112 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. .scaphigera.
DESCRIPTIONS OF SS A
1. KomrHALsIA SCAPHIGERA Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 211 and 373, t. Z. VIII,
f. II, III; Miquel Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 750 and De Palm. Arc. Ind. 26; Hassk. Cat.
Hort. Bogor. 1866. 73; Bece. Malesia. ii, 67. t. 5; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi,
475; Ridley Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. 11, 216.
K. Lobbiana H. Wendl. in Bot. Zeit. xvii, 174; Miq. ll. cc.
‘Calamosagus . scaphiger Griff. Palms Brit. Ind. t. CLXXXIV-A.
C. Wallichiaefolius Griff. ex. Mart. l. c. 211, non-Griff in Cale. Journ. Nat.
Hist. v, 25 (vide Bece. Malesia l. e. p. 68).
Descriprion.—High scandent and slender. Sheathed stem usually 10-12
occasionally 5-7, or at most 17 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths armed with
scattered, short, conical, horizontal prickles. ^ Ocrea inflated, cymbiform-elliptical,
oblong or ovate, closely and almost entirely embracing the base of the next
sheath and often distinctly pedicellate; in the intermediate leaves the ocrea is 2'5-
5'5 em. long and 12-25 mm. broad; in the leaves nearer the inflorescence it is
shorter and less embracing; it is thinly coriaceous and armed similarly to the
sheath with short conical prickles. Leaves of the lower part of the stem non-
cirriferous, 30-45 em. long in the pinniferons part, ending in a cuneate-
Habelliform leaflet, and having the petiole slender and elongate; the intermediate
leaves are cirriferous, 40-50 cm. long in the pinniferous part and end in a very
slender and clawed flagellum aboît as long, or somewhat longer; the petiole is
very variable in length. from 3 to 12 cm. long, flattened, biconvex with sharp,
more or less prickly edges and backs; the rhachis is armed irregularly ^ with
scattered or 2-3-nate claws. Leaflets not numerous, usually 4, more rarely 4-6,
on each side of the rhachis, subopposite or alternate, elongately {cuneate towards
an acute base, generally inequilateral in their upper part, with the anterior margins
praemorse and more or less produced to a caudate apex, rigid, green above, paler
or (especially when young) whitish beneath; they have usually 7 primary nerves,
and very numerous, fine, transverse veinlets; in intermediate leaves the leaflets are
12—23 cm. long, and 4—7 cm. wide at the beginning of the toothed margins,
rarely more; the lower leaflets are usually smaller and narrower than the upper.
The leaves of the upper part of the plant, especially those nearer to the inflore-
scence, are smaller then the preceding, and have smaller and more distinctly
ansate leaflets, the ansae being very strongly flattened, and sometimes up to 8—10
amm. long; in the intermediate leaves the ansae of the leaflets are often very
short, and in their axillas a small callosity or cushion, having a transverse furrow,
is to be found. The young plants, about to form a stem, are caespitose with
several leaves, which have a very long petiole and a deeply forked elongately
cuneate-flabelliform blade, 30—40 cm. long, chalky white or slightly ferruginous
beneath ; its divisions are 4-5 cm. broad and have 7—9 costae. The inflorescence
is diffusedly panicled, apparently 50—60 em. long (or at times more?) twice
branched, each primary branch starting from the sheath of a reduced leaf, which
is furnished with its inflated ocrea. often, however a rudimentary one; at times,
and especially at the base of the uppermost branches, the leaf is represented by
a simply clawed, flagelliform rhachis, to which a few leaflets are attached. The
K. scaphigera. KORTHALSIA. 113
lowest primary branches are flexuous, 30—.50 em. long, divided into 3-4 secondary
spike-bearing branches in their lowest part, and bearing simple spikes above; both
the secondary branches and spikes spring from the inside of tubular, closely-
sheathing, smooth (or almost so) secondary spathes, which have truncate mouths,
and are slightly produced and acute or acuminate at one side, and marcescent in
their upper part at the fruiting stage. The spikes are spreading, flexuose, 10—14
em. long, and when carrying the flowers are 14—15 mm. in diameter; after ihe
fall of the flowers they have a tomentose appearance and are 5—8 mm. in diameter.
Flowers hermaphrodite, very regularly arranged in several spirals, solitary at the
axilla of every spathel; the spathels are bracteiform, free, concave, considerably
broader than high, very obsoletely apiculate, otherwise rounded, ciliolate, often split,
striately veined, besprinkled with furfuraceous scales in their upper part; the two
exterior floral bracteoles are falcate, strongly hairy-paleaceous ; another more internal
is also strongly hairy-paleaceous and a third is reduced to a tuft of hairs. Flower
buds when ready to open, are oblong, obtuse, a little attenuate at the base,
subterete or very obsoletely trigonous, 5'5 mm. long, and 3 mm. broad in their
upper part, and half exserted from the tomentum ; the calyx very small and short,
1 mm. high, membranous-hyaline, divided down to the middle into 3 broad, obtuse
lobes ; the corolla several times longer than the calyx, divided in its upper two-
thirds into 3 oblong, cartilaginous, finely striately veined segments, entire, campa-
nulate and embracing the ovary in its lower part. Stamens 6; the filaments
connate below with the undivided part of the corolla, and having only a shorts
thickish free part at the throat ; the anthers basifixed, elongate equally narrowing
towards both ends, very shortly disjointed at the base, having a rather broad
connective, and the cells laterally dehiscent. Ovary oblong, attenuate to a conspi-
cuous conically elongate style, slightly shorter than the stamens, terminated by 3
connivent subulate stigmas. Fruit ovoid-elliptical or slightly obovoid, suddenly and
finely apieulate or mucronate, and pungent at apex, 15-16 mm. long, 10-11 mm.
broad; on the whole the pericarp is thin and brittle; the mesocarp is scantily
fleshy ; the scales are in 15 longitudinal series, thin, of a uniform light cinnamon-
brown colour, at times very narrowly reddish or diseoloured on the edges, almost
dull, about as long as broad, regularly convex, slightiy furrowed along the centre,
the margins minutely erose-ciliate, the point short and obtuse. Seed erect, ovoid-
elliptieal, terete, equally rounded at both ends, 9 mm. long, 7 mm. broad; its
surface even (not pitted), but marked by 6 slightly impressed longitudinal veins ;
the hilum basal; the albumen deeply ruminate. with, on the chalazal side, a deep
globular intrusion of the integument ; the embryo relatively large, penetrating the
third part of the entire seed, placed in the middle of the side opposite to the
intrusion of the integument. ?
Hanrrar.—Rather common in the primeval forests of the Malay Peninsula, of
Sumatra, and Borneo. In Singapore; Garden Jungle (Ridley No. 9217) and Bukit
Timah (Ridley No. 6272—specimen in fruit) Malacca: (Griff) Sufigei Udang
(Goodenough No. 1704—with flowers). Perak (Wray No. 1917 and King’s Collector Nos.
8144, 3503, 5047, 3504, 3126, 3722, 6833, and Scortechini in Herb. Becc.). Sumatra:
| Sufigei bulu, Prov. Padang (Becc. Pl. Sum. No. 893); Palembang (Heyne No. 22 in
Buitenzorg Herbarium). Borneo: Sarawak on Mt. Mattang (Becc. P. B. No. 1916)
ANN. Roy. BoT. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL, XII.
114 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. scaphigeroides.
ind da Mi. Poo (Becc. P. B. No. 2443), Pontianak (Heyne No. 2535 in Buitenzorg
Herbarium). Bandjermasing (Buitenzorg Herbarium 13).
Ridley writes that the Rattan of this Korthalsia, known under the name of
"Rotang Sumut” (or the Ant-Ratian) is valued on account of its small size and
strength. In Sarawak, however, the Rattan is considered of bad quality and
receives the name of *Rotang Undang.”
Osservations.—This is \one of the characteristic myrmecophilous or Ant-harbour-
ing Korthalsias, and its inflated ocreas a species of Camponotus in Borneo. and the
Iridomyrmex hospes in Sumatra, make their abode, penetrating inside through holes,
made by the ants themselves, in the wall of the ocrea, or by means of erosions
on their margins (see Beccari, Malesia, ii, p. 63, 68).
K. scaphigera is characterized by its slender stem; by the leafsheaths having
small but well formed elliptical inflate ocreae, more or less armed with short
conical or tuberculiform prickles; by the leaves having few cuneate ‘leaflets, more
or less glaucescent beneath, and only those of the uppermost leaves ansate, the
others attached to the rachis by means of an acute base, having a callosity (or
nectariferous cushion ?) in the axillas; by the tomentose spikes; by the ovoid,
mueronate and pungent fruit, and by the ruminated seed.
t is a variable plant. The sheathed stem in a specimen of Scortechini from
Perak is 17 mm. in diameter; in one from Palembang in Sumatra it is only
5 mm. The leaves vary in the size and shape of the leaflets, more or
less elongate or even rhomboidal. The dimensions of the fruit given above are
taken from Ridley’s No. 6272. In King’s Collector No. 3503 from Perak, the
fruit is considerably larger, measuring 22-25 mm. in length and 17 mm. in
diameter, and the seed is 15 mm. long and 11 mm. across; otherwise the
structure is the same as in the other.
Pirate 64.—Korthalsia scaphigera JMart.—Portion of the stem and an entire
leaf; the intermediate part of the plant from one of Scortechini’s specimens
collected in Perak (Herb. Beccari); partial inflorescence, bearing spikes with fully
developed flower buds. From Goodenough’s No. 1704 in Herb. Beccari.
Pirate 65.—Korthalsia scaphigera Mart.—An almost entire fruiting panicle and
the upper part of an adult plant. From Ridley’s No. 6272 in Herb. Beccari.
PLate 66.—Korthalsia scaphigera Mart.—Portion of the stem with an entire
leaf from the upper part of the plant, and a branch of the fruiting spadix; very
young plant with primordial leaves. From Beccari P. B. No. 2493. Fruits and
seeds, one seed cut longitudinally through the embryo; from King’s Collector
No. 3503. Sa
See also the analytical plate IV, figs. 9-15 representing the analyses of the
flower and fruit of K. scaphigera Mart.
:
2. KORTHALSIA scaPHIGEROIDES Bece. Notes on Philip. Palms II, in Philip.
Journ. Science, Botany, iv, (1909) 619.
K. echinometra. KORTHALSIA. 115
Description.—Slender. Sheathed stem 15-20 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths
armed with shcrt conical prickles. Ocreae inflate, elongate-elliptical or cymbiform,
bluntish or apiculate, 7 to 10 em. long, 15-25 mm. broad, rigid-papyraceous, ,
cinnamon-brown and polished inside, armed with short scattered semi-conical
horizontal prickles. Leaves of young plants non-cirriferous, ending in a flabellate
bilobed leaflet, and having the side-leaflets .obsoletely or very briefly ansate ; the
leaves of adult plants are cirriferousr have the petiole flattened-biconvex, 20 or
more em. long, rather obtuse, usually smooth on the edges, armed beneath, along
the centre, with a few solitary claws; rhachis in its intermediate portion armed
almost regularly with ternate claws. Leaflets few, 4-5 on each side of the
rhachis. alternate or subopposite, distinctly ansate, narrowly rhomboidal-cuneate,
broadest above their middle, 15-20 cm. long, 4-5 em. broad. rather acutely
praemorse-dentate in their upper margins, and produced at the apex into an
acuminate point, green above, mealy-white beneath, and having 7 primary costae.
Spadiz unknown. |
HanirrAT.—Mindanao ; District of Zamboanga (Herb. For. Bur. Manila No. 4816 ;
Hutchinson, July, 1906). Nat. name “ Tanguguid” ; Agusan River, Butuan subprov.
(Merrill No. 7313, Oct. 1910). Basilan Island (Hutchinson, No. 6106, Aug. 1906).
OsservatIOns.—This is to all appearances the representative form in the
Philippines of K. scaphigera, from which it differs in the much more elongate
ant-harbouring ocreas, and in the leaves having the leaflets conspicuously mealy-
white underneath. The ocreae in the Herbarium specimens show clear evidence
of their having been inhabited by ants, for as in K. scaphtgera, they have a
round hole or gate in their upper parts, and several narrow fissures at several
points, probably for the admission of air into the lodging.
PLate 67.—Korthalsia scaphigeroides Becc.—One non-cirriferous leaf, and
another cirriferous from ‘the upper part of the plant. From Merrill's No. 7313 in
Herb. Beccari.
3. KorrHaLsia EcniNowETRA Becc. Malesia, ii, 66 and 276; Hook. f. Fl. Brit.
Ind. vi, 474 ; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. n, 215. :
. K. angustifolia B gracilis Miq. De Palm. Arc. Ind. 16 ; Becc. Malesia, ii,
TO, 276. | | :
Daemonorops ochreatus Teysm. et Binn. Cat. Hort. Bot. Bog. (1866), 74,
(nomen). ` |
Calamus (sect. Daemonorops) ochreatus Mig. De Palm Are. Ind. 29 (nomen).
Derscription.—High scandent and rather slender. Sheathed stem 12—20 mm. in
diameter ; the naked canes have a dull surface. Leaves elongate, those of the
upper part of full grown plants about 1 m. long in the pinniferous part, and
terminated by a clawed cirrus about as long or longer. Leaf-sheaths short, more or
less partially covered with a tobacco coloured scurf, almost entirely enwrapped by
their ocreae, and in their short upper free part more or less spinous. Qereae.
conspicuously inflate-cymbiform or elliptical, more or less elongate, at times ovoid,
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, Vou. XII.
116 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [K. echinometra.
blunt, 10—15 cm. long and furnished with a short, terete, closely sheathing
pedicelliform base; the inflatel part thinly coriaceous, partially scurfy or
glabrescent, armed all round with spreading, scattered, very slender, and very
sharp, elastic, laminar, blackish, glossy spines, 3—8 cm. long. Petiole flattened-
biconvex, elongate, prickly on the edges. Rhachis armed in its lower part with
single, and upwards with 2-3-nate claws. Leaflets numerous, 12—15 on each side
of the rhachis, opposite or alternate, conspicuously discolourous, white beneath, 3—4
costulate, elongate, linear-lanceolate, narrowing above, acute at the base and not
ansate; some of them have the apex tovthed, the teeth being narrow, very acute,
and aristate ; others are very acuminate and have the apex often indented, es-
pecially on its lower margin; transverse veinlets very sharp; main costae smooth or
occasionally sparingly spinulous above; the intermediate leaflets ‘are 30—35 em. long
and 15—25 mm. broad, the upper ones gradually smaller. Spadix much branched
and diffuse; the branches robust, arched; spathes _ cylindrical, closely sheathing,
smooth, obliquely truncate at the mouth, and produced ‘at one side into a triangu-
lar acute point. Spikes cylindrical, usually 15-20 cm. long, 12 mm. in diameter;
the spathels are suborbicular, concave, strongly striately veined in the covered part,
and have their obtuse roundish point briefly exerted from the wool of the flower
bracteoles ; the latter have a very small limb completely hidden by an abundant
wool. Flowers small, 8 mm. long; the calyx very small 3-lobed ; «the corolla has
the petals oblong, obtuse, deciduous. Fruit broadly ovoid from a rounded base,
ecnicaliy and very acutely ,beaked, 13—14 mm. long, 1 em. broad (immature).
squarrose ; the scales are in about 20 longitudinal series, uniformly cinnamon-
brown, flattish, not furrowed along the centre, margins and tips coarsely erose-
toothed or sublacerate. Seed too young in the specimen seen by me to make
certain of the nature of its albumen.
HaBrTrAT.—AÀ rather common palm, growing in the Malay Peninsula, in Borneo,
Sumatra, and Bangka. 1n the Malay Peninsula: Negri Sembilan (Ridley); Perak
(Scortechini No. 458b in Herb. Bece.); Singapore (Ridley No. 3521), Borneo: in
Sarawak on Mt. Mattang (Becc. P. B. No. 1935); on the Barram River (J. Hewitt
in the Herbaria at Kew and Manila—fruiting specimens); Bandjermasin (Collector
of the Buitenzorg Garden No. 21). Sumatra: in the Residency of Palembang at
Komering Ulu (Grashof No. 572) and at Lematang ulu (Grashoff No. 197—fruiting
specimens in Herb. Buitenzorg and Beccari). In Bangka at Klinju ( Grashoff in
Herb. Buitenzorg and Beccari). Native name ‘in Singapore ‘ Rotang Udan,” in
Perak “Rotang Sumut” (Scortechini), in Palembang “Uri udang”? or ‘Uri
Semot " (Grashoff). In Sarawak the Dyaks name for it is “Rotang Rua" and it
is employed for the same purposes as “R. Cheb."
OBSERVATIONS.—À very conspicuous and easily recognizable species on account
of its large inflated ocreae, armed with very long spreading slender spines, and of
the leaves haying numerous narrow discolourous leaflets.
The specimens from Borneo have the leaflets with the main nerves smooth,
whereas in the specimens from Sumatra the same nerves are more or less
spinulous. The Sumatran specimens have also the ocreae armed with shorter,
more slender and less numerous spines.
LI
K. horrida]. KORTHALSIA. 117
In a specimen from a plant cultivated in the Botanic Garden of Buitenzorg,
under the name of Daemonorops ochreatus Teysm. the ocreae are very large, ovate,
much inflated (4 cm. wide) and powerfully armed, but this specimen apparently
was detached from the uppermost part of the stem, immediately below the
terminal inflorescence, where, as in other spines, the ocreae are larger and
broader than elsewhere. There is scarcely any doubt as to the identity of K.
angustifolia B. gracilis Miq. with K. Echinometra; it was described from sterile
specimens collected by De Vriese in Palembang (Sumatra), vernacular name “ Baku."
PLATE 68.—Korthalsia Echinometra Becc.—Intermediate portion of a plant
showing two ocreae and a detached portion of the leaf belonging to it; from P.
D. No. 1935. Leaf-sheath and its ocrea and leaf from Scortechini’s No. 458b
.in Herb. Beec. A separate ocrea, larger than usual, from a plant cultivated at
Buitenzorg under the name of Daemonorops ochreatus.
PLate 69.—Korthalsia Echinometra Bece.—Leaf and branch of the spadix with
fruits not quite mature. From Hewitt's specimens in the Herbarium at Kew.
4? KeRTHALSIA HORRIDA Bece. Malesia, ii, 66 t. VI.
Description.—Rather slender. Sheathed stem 2 cm. in diameter. Leaves
rather large ; one—apparently from a nearly fully grown but not yet fertile plant—
is non-cirriferous, and 1°80 m. long. Leaf-sheaths, in their upper uncovered part
and immediately below the insertion of the petiole, fugaciously and partially rusty
furfuraceous and armed with straight, rigid, horizontal, 5-8 mm. long spines;
on the sides the spines are flattened and ascendant; on the ventral side the
leaf-sheaths are disintegrated into a fibrous net, but otherwise completely enveloped
by their respective ocreae. Ocreae considerably inflated, 15 cm. long, 3 cm,
broad, of a thin or papery-membranous texture, cymbiform or elongate—elliptical,
armed all round with scattered, very slender and very sharp, elastic, laminar, -
blackish spines, up to 12 cm. long, resting on a broad base, and spreading in
every direction. Petiole thickish, slightly flattened, in one specimen 60 cm. long,
8-9 mm. thick, armed all round with short, straight prickles; rhachis trigonous,
slightly clawed below; the cirrus reduced to a very slender filament. Leaflets
very numerous, 32 in all in one specimen, subopposite or alternate, elongate-
lanceolate or lanceolate-ensiform, very gradually long-acuminate, rigid-papyraceous,
very conspicuously discolourous, being deep green above and white beneath,
plicately 4-5-nerved; the main nerves spinulous on the upper surface; the lower
margin of the apical part also spinulous; transverse veinlets very sharp on the
upper surface; the medial and largest leaflets about 50 cm. long, 3-5 cm. broad;
the upper ones gradually smaller and considerably shorter. The spadiz unknown.
Hasirat.—Borneo. Known only from a specimen collected by me in June 1866
on Mt. Mattang in Sarawak (P. B. No. 1918). Native name “ Rotang Sabakan.”
Osservarions.—This also is known only from sterile specimens, but possibly
represents only a young stage of K. Echinometra ; as the only leaf preserved belongs
apparently to a not full grown plant. The ocreae are very much like those of
K. Echinometra but of a thinner texture and the leaves have larger and more
acuminate leaflets, with the main nerves abundantly spinulous on their upper
118 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. scortechint.
surface, a character which I supposed peculiar to K. horrida, whereas I have
now found that it is occasionally possessed also by K. Echinometra.
Puare 70.—Korthalsia horrida Bece.—The entire typical specimen P. B. No. 1918
in Herb. Beccari.
5. KortHaLsIiA Cues Bece. "Malesia, nc BT.
Descriprion.—Of middling size. Sheathed stem 1°5-2 cm. in diameter. Leaves
large, 2'5 m. long including the cirrus. Leaf-sheaths completely enwrapped by the
ocreae, except along a narrow strip on the back, which is armed with a line of
rather stout, 8-10 mm. long, straight horizontal spines. Ocreae very large, sur-
passing in length the sheaths they enwrap, 28 cm. long in one specimen, closely
sheathing in their basal part, for an extent of about 5 cm, cylindrical. and
disintegrated along the ventral side into a fibrous net; in all the other specimens
the ocreae are somewhat inflated, cylindrically cymbiform, 2°5 em. broad. have the
apices obtuse, are so thickly coriaceous as to be dlmost woody, glabrous, almost
polished and armed only with a few scattered broad-based horizontal ,prickles. The
petiole is about 30 cm. long (in one leaf), flattened, armed on the edges with
distant horizontal spines, and below with some solitary claws. The pinniferous part
is about 80 cm. long; its rhachis trigonous, partially and fugaciously furfuraceous,
armed below with claws, at first single, then geminate and finally ternate. The cirrus
is rather irregularly clawed. Leaflets 6 on each side (in one leaf), obliquely elongately-
rhomboidal with a cuneate base, briefly ansate, with apices acute or shortly caudi-
culate, papyraceous, green and rather dull above, conspicuously chalky-white beneath;
the upper margins sinuously not deeply toothed, the teeth acute or occasionally
subaristate ; the largest leaflets, the intermediate, are 30-40 cm. long, and 10-15
cm. broad; those of the extremities somewhat smaller. Spadix, unknown.
Hagitat.—Borneo: in Sarawak on Mount Maitang (Becc. P. B. No. 1936). It
has been collected again by Dr. Hallier in Dutch Borneo on the Sungei Kenepai
(No. 2019 in Buitenzorg Herbarium).
OssERvATIONSs.—Imperfeetly known, nevertheless very ‘distinct from the other
species by its not very inflated but extraordinarily elongate and very hard ocreae.
It approaches K angustifolia, but this has much narrower leaflets and ocreae with
thinner walls. The specimens collected by Hallier are somewhat smaller than the
type specimen from Sarawak, but otherwise very similar in the leaves and nature
of the ocreae. On £ ocrea in Hallier’s specimens is 14 em. long, and 2°5 cm. broad.
The sheathed stem is 15 mm. in diameter. i
In Sarawak it receives the name of “Rotan Cheb," and the canes are much
valued by the Dyaks; the strips obtained from them, being very strong, are used
especially for basket work and on account of their extraordinary toughness for
fastening axe heads to their handles.
PLATE 71.—Korthalsia Cheb Becc.—The type specimen in Herb. Beccari.
ss é
6. KortHALsiAa ScortecHINnII Bece. in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 475.
Description.—Rather slender. Sheathed stem 12-17 mm. in diameter. Leaves
rather large, one cirriferous is about 45-60 cm. long in the pinniferous part.
K. angustifolia. KORTHALSIA, 119
Leaf-sheaths entirely enveloped by the ocreae, except in a small upper portion which
is armed with scattered, very short subtuberculiform spines. Ocreae very large,
terete, and! closely sheathing in their basal (3-4 cm. long) part, otherwise somewhat
inflated and elongate-cymbiform, the inflated part is 12-18 cm. long, and 2°5—3 em.
broad, obtuse at apex, unclosed above on the inner side, otherwise completely
clasping the following sheath, thinly coriaceous, glabrous, armed with scattered,
| Petiole flattened, slightly
biconvex or flattish above and convex below, armed irregularly with small claws
thickish, horizontal, short (6-7 mm. long at most) spines ;
on the edges, and more or less also below, in one specimen 8 cm. long, in
another 22 cm.; Rhachis armed with scattered single claws ; Cirrus slender, irre-
gularly clawed. Leaflets rather numerous, 10-11 on each side of the rhachis, equi-
distant, alternate or subopposite, a few of the lowermost more approximate than
the others, papyraceous, green above and whitish beneath, cuneately elongate-
oblanceolate, 5-7-nerved, the upper ones acutely toothed in their upper margins and
` very acuminate, 35-40 cm. long, 4-5 cm. broad; the lower smaller, somewhat
attenuate above, toothed and very irregularly only at the apex. Spadix unknown.
Hanrrar.—In the Malay Peninsula at Perak; collected only by Father Scor-
techini. Native name ‘“Rotang Udang.” This is the vernacular name for several
species of Korthalsía with inflated elongate ocreae, in which the Malays see a
fancied resemblance to the * Udang? the Malay name for a Prawn.
OssERvATIONSs.— This species is characterized by its very large elongate ocreae,
armed only with short prickles, and by its numerous narrow discolourous leaflets.
The ocreae are very similar to those of K. Cheb, but have a much thinner
texture; the leaves also have narrower leaflets.
PLate 72.—Korthalsia Scortechinii .Becc.—' The type specimen in Herb. ' Beccari.
7. KorrHaLsia ancustiroLIA Bl. Rumphia, ii, 172; ‘Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ill,
211; Mig. FI. Ind. Bat. ii, 77; Becc. Malesia ii, 70 (excl. K. flagel-
pares: Mit) p. 20 t LXIV, E 1 X oy
DescrIPTION.—Of moderate (or relatively large?) size. Sheathed stem 2°5 cm. in
diameter, (or probably more in full grown plants). Leaf-sheaths thinly and fuga-
ciously rusty-furfuraceous and somewhat whitish pruinose, armed rather densely
on their backs, and scantily on the ventral aspect, with scattered straight spines,
3-10 mm. long. Ocreae inflated, not very thickly. coriaceous, elongate-eymbiform
or fusiform, narrowing above to a bluntish apex, 15-20 em. long, 2-2°5 cm.
broad, also slightly pruinose and fugaciously scantily rusty-furfuraceous, thinly
coriaceous, very sparingly armed with a few short spines. The leaves of the adult
plants are described by Blume as cirriferous, 2-2°5 m. long including the cirrus,
and bearing 15-18 leaflets; the latter are distinctly ansate, 20-30 cm. long,
25-4 em. wide, cuneately-oblanceolate. very acuminate, 7-10-nerved, almost
shiny above, and covered beneath with a thin coating of yellowish-white or almost
chalky indumentum ; the upper margins are sharply toothed, and the teeth subulate—
aristate. The leaves of young plants are non-cirriferous, and end in a flabellate
leaflet ; the largest of these leaves seen by me measures 1:5-1'8 m. including the
120 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. furcata.
petiole, and bas 10-11 leaflets on each side; the petiole is elongate and thickish,
about 1 cm. broad, flattish above, angular-convex below, with obtuse edges, and is
armed on its upper surface and on the back, especially in its lower portion, with
small prickles. The leaflets are as described above, but somewhat larger. attaining
30-40 em. in length and 8-9 cm. in breadth. In very young plants, which how-
ever also show the charaeteristie ocrea, the leaves have a petiole up to 70 cm. in
length, very prickly all round, with very few leaflets on each side of the rhachis
and a rather large terminal flabellum. Spadix unknown.
Hanrrar.—South Borneo. The original specimen, upon which Blume ‘founded
the species, was collected on the Dusson by Korthals. It has been found again
recently at Bandjermasin by the collectors of the Botanical Garden of Buitenzorg
(No. 48 in the Herbaria of Buitenzorg and Beccari).
OBSERVATIONS.—It is a very imperfectly known species, but nevertheless well
characterized by its large, very elongate, not very thickly coriaceous, sparingly
prickly ocreae, and by the» cuneately oblanceolate leaflets, chalky-yellowish beneath
and baying very sharply toothed margins. The specimens I received from Buitenzorg
are all sterile, and bear non-cirriferous leaves, but are undoubtedly conspecific with
the type of Blume, which I have seen. !
The variety gracilis Miq. of K. angustifolia Bl. is referable to K. echinometra
Becc. (See observations on that species.)
PraArE 73.—Korthalsia angustifolia Beze.—Leaf-sheath with its ocrea, and the base
of a leaf; portion of a leaf near the end. Speeimen from a young plant with non-
cirriferous leaves, in Herb. Beccari (No. 48 in Buitenzorg Herbarium).
8. KonrHaLsiA FURCATA.—Becc. sp. n.
DzscRIPTION.— Very. small. The naked stem is only 2 mm. in diameter and
5-6 mm. with the sheaths on. JLeaf-sheaths very short, the leaves being very
approximate and gradually passing into the petiole, polished, thickish on their backs
where they are furnished with some short spines, or at times quite smooth, and
disintegrated along the ventral aspect into a fibrous net. Ocreae relatively to the
size of the plant conspicuous, inflated, ovate-elliptical or oblong, very similar to
those of K. scaphigera, 20—25 mm. long, 8-10 mm. broad, smooth or furnished with
some spinules near the acute apex. Leaves’ small, on the whole" 30-40 em. long ;
the blade is very simple, very deeply forked with a cuneate acute base, or formed
only of two segments, united to the extent of 2-4 cm. at their bases, and
separating at a very acute angle, so as to leave between them a deep and narrow
- V shaped sinus ; from the sinus springs a fine filament or rudimentary cirrus, at
times up to 10-12 em. in length, and finely aculeolate ; the segments of the blade
are broadly linear or almost all of a uniform breadth of 18-25 mm. and 25-30
em. in length, sharply 3-5-costulate, distinctly discolourous, green and shiny above,
ashy gray beneath, very slightly attenuate towards the apex, which is nearly
truncate; irregularly and boldly toothed, the teeth being rather obtuse, and
decreasing in steps along the outer margin the transverse veinlets are very fine
‘and distinct on the upper surface and almost obsolete on the lower. ‘The petiole
K. paucijuga. KORTHALSIA. 121
is slender, 5-10 em. long, 2 mm. broad, polished, subtrigonous, flat above, armed
with a few small claws and obsoletely angular below. In the Herbarium speci-
mens the leaves acquire a chestnut-brown colour. Spadiz unknown.
Latin Diagnosis—Korthalsia furcata Bece. sp. nov. j
HanrrAr.—Discovered by Dr. Hallier on Sungei Kenepai during the Dutch
Expedition in Borneo, 1893-94 (No. 2034 in Buitenzorg Herbarium).
OsskRvATIONS.— The specimens from which the description of this quite distinct
little Korthalsia is derived consist of the upper parts of plants not in flower, and
apparently not quite fully grown, but whieh however have, seemingly, attained their
definitive characters. The forked leaves which in other species (in K. scaphigera
for instance) are produced only in the primordial stage of the plant, are apparently
in K. furcata definitive, anl afforl a diagnostic character unique among all the
Korthalsias known up to the present day, that is if in the last and flowering
period pinnate and cirriferous leaves are not produced. ;
Prare 74.—Korthalsia furcata Bece—The entire upper part of a plant; a
detached leaf ; (from Hallier’s No. 2034 in the Buitenzorg Herbarium).
Parvula, caudice tenuissimo; vaginis brevibus laevibus vel parcissime spinosis,
ocrea inflata ovato-elliptica ; frondibus brevissimis, petiolo gracili, limbo simpliciter #
profunde furcato, sive segmentis duobus basi unitis late linearibus, 3-9-costulatis
composito.
9. KorTHALSIA PAUCIJUGA Becc. sp. n.
DescrIprion.—Slender. Sheathed stem 8-10 mm. in diameter. ' Leaf-sheaths
slightly and fugaciously rusty-furfuraceous, armed only along a narrow ventral
line, with a few small straight spines, otherwise smooth. ^ Ocreae short. 10-15
mm. long, closely sheathing, smooth or very sparingly prickly, truncate, coriaceous
at the base, and thinly membranous, ragged and perishable in their upper part.
Leaves small, 18—28 cm. long in the pinniferous part, having only 3 leaflets on each
side of the rhachis, and ending in a very slender, very minutely clawed cirrus.
Petiole very short, distinctly callose at its axilla, 10-25 mm. long at most; the
rhachis rusty-furfuraceous, ‘especially in its lower part, and armed with few
relatively strong claws. Leaflets alternate, rigid-papyraceous, glossy above, subcon-
colourous but dull below, more or less ferruginously powdery at their basal part
and besprinkled all over with very minute ferruginous dots, visible only under a
good lens; in shape the leaflets are cuneately-oblong or sub-rhomboidal-cuneate,
are very irregularly and boldly and obtusely sinuate-toothed on their upper
margins, and have the apex prolonged into a lengthened acumen; the sides
below the toothed part are slightly curved in converging to the base, and not
quite straight, as is usually in other -species, in K. rigida for instance, which the
leaflets of K. paucijuga in other respect resemble; the main nerves are 5, but &
usually only 3 are distinctly prominent; transverse veinlets very numerous, approxi-
mate, fine, and, as in allied species pellucid; in every leaf the lower pair of
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
i
122 ANNALS OF THÈ ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. ^ K. debilis,
leaflets are 15-22 cm. long, and 4-5'5 cm. wide; the upper ones are somewhat
smaller, 10-15 em. long and 3-45 cm. broad; the ansae. are 6-10 mm. long,
rusty-furfuraceous, somewhat flattened, callose in their axillas. Spadix unknown.
Hasrrar.—Dutch Borneo. First collected by Teysmann (No. 16714 in Buitenzorg
Herbarium), who gives the native name “ Djelundengan." Found again recently
by Heyne at Bandjermasin (No. 24 bis in Buitenzorg Herbarium) and at Pon-
tianak (No. 2544 in Buitenzorg Herbarium).
OssERVATIONS.—[t is a slender palm, somewhat resembling K. rigida, from
which it is easily distinguishable by the short ocreae, perishable in their upper
part, but not forming a fibrous net; by its short leaves having very short petioles.
and only 6 leaflets in all; by the leaflets being rather distinctly 3-costulate, and
having the sides in the cuneate lower part slightly curved | in converging towards
the base, and not, as usual, quite straight ; they are also, more distinctly than in
other species, dotted below.
Probably the specimens of K. rigida mentioned by Blume (Le), as collected
by Korthals in Borneo belong to K. paucijuga.
Puare 75.—Korthalsia paucijuga Becc. The terminal part of a plant. From
Heyne’s No. 24 bis in Buitenzorg Herbarium.
.
Latin Draewosrs.—Korthalsia paucijuga Becc. sp. nov.—Gracilis ; vaginis fugaciter
furfuraceo-rubiginosis, parce in ventre spinulosis ; ocrea brevi, marcescenti ; frondibus
parvis, brevissime petiolatis, segmentis perpaucis, breviter ansatis, oblongo-cuneatis,
apice acuminato-caudato, 3-costulatis, superne virentibus et nitentibus, subtus
pallidioribus et squamulis punctiformibus minutissimis ferrugineis obsitis.
10. KonrHaLsiA pEBILIS Bl. Rumphia, ii, 169 et iii, t. &, A; Mart. Hist.
Nat. Palm. ij 211; Mig. FI. Ind. Bat. iii, 75, and Prodr. Fl. Sum. 255, and De
Palm. Arc. Ind. 26; Walp. Ann. iii, 492; Hassk: Cat. Hort. Bot. Bogor, 1866,
73 ; Bece.. Malesia; n, 70.
Description.—Very slender. Sheathed stem 5-10 mm. in diameter, the caneg
with a dull (non-vitreous) surface. Leaf-sheaths elongate, fugaciously and partially
rusty-furfuraceous, usually sparingly, yet at times rather thickly, armed with very
short tuberculiform spines or quite smooth, coriaceous, but of a flabby structure
along the ventral or outer aspect, especially ‘in their upper part where usually
disintegrated into a fibrous net. Ocreae 3-8 cm. long on the whole, more or less
armed with short ascendant prickles, or otherwise smooth, closely sheathing, but
having a short permanent coriaceous base, and thinly membranous and more
or less disintegrated into a fibrous, finally deciduous net in the remainder. Znmterme.
diate leaves 30-35 cm. long in the pinniferous part, ending in a cirrus about as
jong, very slender, and very minutely clawed. Petiole short, 2-3 cm. long
or longer in leaves of young plants, flattish or slightly concave above,
rounded below. Rhachis armed with scattered, small claws. Leaflets 4-5 on each
side of the rhachis, alternate, papyraceous. whitish beneath, especially when young,
15-18 cm. long, 4-6 cm. broad, cuneate-rhomboidal, ^or triangular above the
middle or in their upper third part, and gradually cuneate below; their upper
ww
K. debilis. i KORTHALSIA. 123
margins undulate and praemorse-toothed ; the apex usually produced and caudate;
main nerves 6-7, slender, the central one slightly stronger than the others;
transverse veinlets very fine; ansae strongly flattened, 5-6 mm. long. The lower
leaves have longer petioles, and apparently a few more leaflets. The leaves near
the infloresence are much reduced in length, and ‘have considerably ^ smaller
leaflets. Inflorescence narrowly panieled, about 30 cm. long, composed of a very
few appressed, undivided branches, bearing very few erect spikes; spathes tubular,
narrowly infundibular, closely sheathing. smooth or very slightly spinulous, produced
above to a broad membranous acuminate limb embracing the base of the spikes,
and finally marcescent. Spikes slender, flexuous, 10—15 em. long, and when
bearing flowers 10 mm. in diameter but only 5-6 mm. when without them, and
then of a somewhat tomentose appearance; spathels coneave, broader than long,
often connate by their sides, striately veined, their upper margins rounded and
ciliolate, and slightly produced above the dense light coloured wool to which the
floral bracteoles are almost entirely reduced. Flowers clavate-oblong, rounded
above, 4 mm. long, 2°5 mm. broad; the calyx nearly half exserted from the wool
of the bracts, thinly cartilaginous, urceolate, deeply parted downwards into 3 ovate—
obtuse lobes, polished externally ; the corolla nearly 3 times as long as the calyx,
deeply divided into 3 cartilaginous segments, faintly striately veined externally,
contracted at the throat, entire and slightly ventricose in its lower part; the
stamens have very short and thick filaments, united at the throat of the corolla,
and broadly lanceolate-sagittate, acute anthers; ovary ovoid, narrowing above to a
short, conical, sulcate, acute style, reaching only to the base of the anthers;
stigmas very minute, punctiform. Fruit small, globular, 10-11 mm. in diameter
rounded at both ends, shortly but acutely beaked at apex; the pericarp on the
whole thin and brittle; mesocarp very sparingly fleshy; scales in 17-18 longitudinal
series, slightly convex, not deeply grooved along the centre, reddish brown, the
apex obtuse and blackish and slightly produced, the margins and especially the
apex conspicuously ciliate-fringed. Seed globular, 6-7 mm. in diameter, its surface
brownish, slightly uneven and marked with 6-7 very faintly impressed longitudinal
vein8; hilum basilar; lateral intrusion of the integument deep and broad; albumen
homogeneous, curved, crescent-like in longitudinal section.
Hansrrar.—Sumatra, in the Province of Padang (Korthals); in the Prov. of
Palembang (Heyne No. 13 in Buitenzorg Herbarium and J. A. van Rijn van
Alkemade in Herb. Martelli). Borneo on Mt. Mattang in Sarawak (Bece. P. B.
No. 1914).
OsservatIONs. --I have based the description of this species on specimens
gathered from plants cultivated at Buitenzorg, under their right name of K. dehilis,
and introduced from Palembang. Nat. name ‘“ Rotang dahan ", a name, however,
applied to several of the non-ocrigerous Korthalsias. Korthal’s type specimen
has leaves bearing 6 pairs of leaflets, almost regularly rhomboidal, but longer than
wide, and having undulate, obsoletely toothed upper margins. Heyne’s specimens
No. 13 are also sterile and have leaves with 12 leaflets, sharply toothed on the
upper margins ; in one of these specimens the leaf sheaths are nearly unarmed. in
another are rather closely prickly. On the whole K. debilis appears a rather
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII,
124 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. rigida.
variable plant in the spinescence of the leaf-sheaths, and in the number and shape
of the leaflets, these being more or less long-attenuate to a cuneate base and
having more or less: sharply toothed margins. Probably the young not fertile
plants have leaves with more numerous leaflets than the adult ones.
The* species is well characterized by its slender habit, and leaves bearing 8—12
cuneately rhomboidal leaflets ; by its ocreae elongate, closely sheathing, dissolved
above into a fibrous net; by the small inflorescence with very few short branches
bearing few erect spikes ; by the flowers oblong-clavate ; by the small globose
fruits; and by the spherical seed with homogeneous albumen.
The specimen of the P. B. No. 1914. which I have considered as belonging
to K. debilis, has also leaves with 6 pairs of leaflets and a very slender cirrus,
otherwise it is in every respect very similar to Korthals's type specimen of K.
debilis. but being sterile some doubts remain about its identification.
Prate 76.—Korthalsia debilis Bl.—Portion of the stem with an entire leaf;
the end of a flowering plant ; portion of the spadix in flower ; another portion
with mature fruits. From plants cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Beccari).
11. KortHaLsia RIGIDA BI. Rumphia, ii, (1336) 167, t. 157; Mart. Hist.. Nat.
Palm. iii, 211,343; Mig. “FI. Ind. Bat. iii, 79; De Palm. Arc.‘Ind.
26 (excl. K. Lobbiana H. Wendl.): Prodr. FL Sum. 255; Walp.
Ann. iii, 492; Hassk. Cat. Hort. Bot. Bogor. (1866) 73; Becc:
Malesia, ii, 73; Kurz in Journ, As. Soc., Beng. xviii (1874) 207.
K. polystachya Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ili. 210. 343, t. 172. Fig. 1 et Z.
XIII; Mig. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 77; Becc. Malesia, ii, 74; Hook. f. FI.
/ Brit. Ind. vi, 476.
Calamosagus polystachyus Griff. in lit. ad Mart. 1846 ex Mart. l. c. 211;
C. ochriger Griff. Palms Brit. Ind. pp. XII. 31. t. COXVI. 1.
‘Description.—Slender and high scandent. Sheathed stem 12—18 mm. in dia-
meter. Leaf-sheaths quite smooth, or armed (along the ventral side only) with
small and very short prickles. Ocreae of old leaves cylindrical, coriaceous, closely
sheathing, 1--2 cm. long, irregularly truncate at their mouths, unarmed or slightly `
prickly on the ventral side; in newly expanded leaves, and especially in young plants
the ocreae are prolonged into a thinly membranous upper part, some centimetres
in length, more or less disintegrated into a fibrous net, and finally entirely des-
troyed, leaving only its short truncate, coriaceous base. Intermediate leaves of the
adult plant 40—50 cm. long, ending in a clawed cirrus about as long or shorter.
Petiole very short, 2—4 cm. long, or at times almost reduced to nothing, distinct-
ly callous at its axilla. Rhachis rather powerfully clawed. Leaflets 5—6 on each
side of the rhachis, alternate, rigid, thinly coriaceous, green and almost glossy
above, slightly paler or subglaucous beneath, somewhat asymmetrically cuneate-
rhomboidal, 15—-18 cm. long, 5—7 cm. wide, the upper margins irregularly undu-
late and erose-toothed, the apex acute or acuminate; main nerves 6—7, slender,
the central one more prominent than the others; transverse veinlets numerous,
pellucid and not very prominent; the ansae are slightly rusty furfuraccous, 10—15
mm. long, not or slightly flattened, and have a thickish base, apparently fleshy in
the living plant. The uppermost leaves (especially those nearer to the inflorescence)
i
K. rigida. KORTHALSIA. 125
are, as usual, smaller, have a shorter cirrus and smaller leaflets (8—10 em. by 3:5
—4 cm.) are more briefly cuneate at the base and more regularly rhomboidal.
The primordial leaves are undivided and oblong-flabellate. Inflorescence twice dif-
fusedly branched, 1 m. long, and more; the primary branches 50—60 cm. long,
Givided into several secondary branches. . Spathes elongate-tubular, slightly infundi-
buliform, closely sheathing, unarmed, their mouths truncate and slightly produced
at one side into a triangular acute point; the secondary or spike-bearing branches
are slender, 3—4 mm. in diameter, 25—30 em. long, and bear 5—-6 spikes. The
spikes are aitached by a slender flattened pedicellar part to the bottom of their res-
pective spathes, but appear to be inserted at the mouth of these; the latter are spread-
ing or recurved, and all more or less turned to one side, very slender, flexuous,
8—10 em. long, 3—5 mm. in diameter (not taking into account the flowers), and of
a glabrous appearance; the spathels are broadly triangular, concave, like a swallow's
nest, and suffult the bases of the flowers, obtuse, membranous, strongly striately
veined, free (not connate by their margins) and produced beyond the wool of the
flower-bracts ; it is for this reason that the spikes assume a glabrous appearance;
the floral bracteoles are small, almost entirely reduced to dense tufts of short
woolly hairs, which make rather deep nest or cup-like involucres to the flowers.
Flowers arranged in 7 longitudinal series, immersed’ in their woolly bracteoles by
the lower part of the calyx only; the full grown flower buds are 4 mm. long,
2 mm. broad, oblong, terete, obtuse; the calyx is cyathiform, somewhat attenuate
at the base, and exserted from the wool of the flower bracteoles, strongly striately
veined, parted to the middle into 3, broad, obtuse lobes; the corolla is twice or
nearly three times as long as the calyx and is divided nearly to the base into
three oblong, externally-striate segments; the stamens have short and thick fila-
ments, united at the base with the corolla, and subulate at the apex; anthers
elongate-sagittate, bluntish or apiculate; ovary ovoid, attenuate above to a short and
suleate, conical acute style, reaching with the apex only to a little above the
bases of the anthers ; stigmas very minute. Fruit very small, 8 mm. long, 4 mm.
broad, obovoid-turbinate, very suddenly and minutely beaked, narrowing below to `
a rather acute base; scales very small, 1°5 mm. broad and about as long, arranged
in 15 longitudinal series, uniformly brown, convex, deeply furrowed along the centre;
the apex blunt, appressed ; the margins very finely and densely ciliate. In the
specimens at my disposal the fruits are immature, but probably they had attained
nearly their definitive dimensions. The seed, however, is not fully developed, but
apparently the albumen is ruminate.
HansrraT.— Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Billiton, Bangka, and perhaps
Borneo. Blume gives for his K. rigida the localities of Sumatra and Borneo.
Martius (l. c. p. 343) adds also Java; Miquel (Prodr. Fl. Sum. l. c.) mentions
Padang in West Sumatra. It is quite possible that this species grows also in Borneo,
as it has.been found in Billiton (Heyne No. 4 in Buitenzorg Herbarium) the island
between Borneo and Sumatra, and in Bangka at Klinju (Grashoff No. 60 in Herb.
Buitenzorg and Becc). It is on the Billiton specimens that I have based the
description of the fruit, and it is the specimens coming from this place as from
Sumatra that particularly represent the typical K. rigida Bl.; whereas the specimens
that are really to be considered as belonging to K. polystachya are Griffith's from’
126 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. junghuhnü.
Malacca, and those from Singapore at Bukit Timah (Ridley No. 8782—Herb. Beccari),
from Batu Pahat in Johore (Ridley No. 11208—Berlin Herb.), and from the State of
Pahan (Ridley No. 13298—Herb. Beccari).
OnsERVATIONS.—AÀ slender species, characterized by the leaf-sheaths which are
smooth or only sparingly prickly; by the ocreae being closely sheathing, having a
short coriaceous basal part, and the remainder fibrous and perishable ; by the leaflets
being cuneately-rhomboidal, subglaucous on the lower surface or only paler than
above; by the spikes being very slender and of a glabrous appearance on account of
the spathels projecting considerably from the wool of the flower-bracteoles ; by the
flowers having the calyx attenuate at the base, and about half exsertéd from the
wool of the flower bracts, and finally by the very small turbinate fruit having a
ruminate seed.
After a very aceto] study I have been led to conclude that K. rigida BI. and
K. polystachya are to be considered as the same species, and I now think that
Kurz was not mistaken in uniting them; indeed, as I pointed out in Malesia (l. c.),
the plates of K. polystachya in Martius (l c.) and those of X. rigida in Blume’s
Rumphia are extremely alike. Apparently in the plant described by Blume as
K. rigida the calyx is a little larger than in K. polystachya, and therefore the corolla
is only twice as long as the ‘calyx, whereas in the specimens coming from the
Malay Peninsula, and considered as representing the typical K. polystachya (Ridley
No. 11208), the corolla is somewhat more than twice or nearly three times as long
as the calyx; moreover, in the K. polystachya of Martius, the ovary (in full grown
flower buds) reaches only to the base of the anthers, whereas in the typical Blume’s
specimen of K. rigida the style attains only to the lower third part of the anthers.
Of Blume’s typical K. rigida the fruit is unknown. Ridley gives for the fruit of
KA. polystachya the length of $ inch (=95 mm.), and the not quite mature fruits
of the specimens from Billiton referred by me to K. rigida are somewhat smaller
(8 mm.); the difference therefore is very small.
In the Herbarium at Calcutta there is a specimen of Kurz (No. 2824) named
K. rigida, te which is assigned the locality of Java. The flowers of this specimen
agree exactly with the figures given by Blume in his plate 157, only about the
locality there may be some ground for doubt, as the specimens ,might have been
collected in the Buitenzorg Garden and not really in the forests of Java.
PrarE 77.—Korthalsia rigida 8/.—Primordial' leaf from a specimen collected by
Prof. Engler at Singapore (Berlin Herb.); portion of the stem with a leaf entire, -
from Ridley’s No. 8782 in Herb. Beccari; branch of the spadix in flower, from
Ridley’s No. 11208 in Herb. Beccari.
PrarE 78.—Korthalsia rigida Bl.—Portion of the upper part of the plant bearing.
the base of the spadix and terminal part of the spadix with nearly mature fruits.
Specimen from Billiton (Heyne's No. 103 in the Buitenzorg and Beccari Herbaria).
12. KonrHaLsiA JunenuaNI Miq. in PI. Jungh. i, 162: Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 76 ;
De Palm. Arc. Ind. 15, 16; Boce. Malesia, IE TE
Description.—Slender and high scandent. Sheathed stem 8—12 mm. in diameter.
Leaf-sheaths at times almost smooth, but usually armed with small and very short
B
K. junghuhnit. KORTHALSIA. 127
priekles along the ventral side only, especially near the bases of the petioles.
Ocreae having a short permanent coriaceous base, armed with some prickles on the
ventral side, and lengthened above into a closely sheathing brown, membranous
appendage 2—4 cm. long in the lower leaves, and shorter in the upper ones; this
appendage is later more or less disintegrated into a fibrous, perishable net. Inter-
mediate leaves of the adult plant 40—50 cm. long in the pinniferous part, ending in
a somewhat shorter and slender clawed cirrus; petiole very short, 2—4 cm. long,
broadly concave above, rounded beneath, furnished with a distinet callus and
transverse rima at its axilla; rhachis armed with scattered usually solitary, claws.
Leaflets 5—6 on each side of the rhachis, alternate, rigid, thinly coriaceous, green
and almost glossy above, whitish beneath in newly expanded leaves, but later only
slightly paler than above, somewhat asymmetrically cuneate-rhomboidal, 15—18 cm.
long, 5—7 cm. wide, their upper margins irregularly undulate and erose-toothed, the
secondary teeth very minute and acute; the apex acute or somewhat produced ;
main nerves 7—9, slender, the central one more prominent than the others; transverse
veinlets numerous, very fine, continuous and pellucid; the ansae are conspicuous,
10—12 mm. long, minutely rusty-furfuraceous, thickish and swollen at the base.
The uppermost leaves, especially those nearer to the inflorescence, are smaller than
the intermediate, have a shorter cirrus, and smaller leaflets (8—10 cm. by 3:5—4 em.
or less), and are more shortly cuneate, or more regularly rhomboidal. Inflorescence
about 50 cm. long, twice branched, but having only 2—3 primary sinuous branches
divided into only 2—3 secondary branches. ‘ Spathes elongate-tubular, slightly
infundibuliform, closely sheathing, unarmed or at times slightly spinulous, their
mouths obliquely truncate and slightly produced at one side into a triangular acute
point ; the secondary or spike-bearing branches are short (10—15 cm. long) and bear
only 3 or at most 4 spikes. The spikes have a glabrous appearance, are attached
by means of a slender, flattened pedicellar part to the bottom of their respective
spathes, and have their bases very slightly exserted from these, are alternate, spread-
ing, flexuous, 6—8 cm. long, 5 mm. in diameter, not taking into account the flowers,
and 9—10 mm. with them; spathels broadly triangular, concave like a swallow's
nest, and suffulting the bases of the flowers, obtuse, membranous, strongly striately
veined, free (not connate by their margins), considerably produeed beyond the wool
of the flower-braeteoles so that the spikes assume a glabrous appearance; the flora]
bracteoles are almost entirely reduced to dense tufts of short woolly hairs. Flowers
arranged in 7 longitudinal series, dipping into their woolly bracteoles by the lower
part of the calyx only ; are 4 mm. long and 3 mm. broad, obovoid, obtuse; the
calyx is cyathiform, not or but slightly attenuate at the base, strongly striately
veined, parted down to only a little above the base inio 3 ovate obtuse lobes; the
corolla is twice as long as the calyx or a little less, or divided for two-thirds of its
length into three ovate cymbiform segments, striate externally; the stamens have
the filaments short and thick, subulate at apex, united below to the entire urceolate
base of the corolla; anthers ovate-sagittate, acute; ovary ovoid. narrowing above
io a short sulcate conical acute style reaching only to the base of the anthers ;
stigmas very minute, punetiform. Fruit globular or globular-turbinate, a little longer
than broad, 16—18 mm. long, 14—15 mm. broad, rounded at the base, the apex
very slightly depressed and bearing the very minute remains of the stigmas in the
128 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. CALCUTTA. K. merrillaz.
centre ; scales in 15 longitudinal series, of a uniform einnamon-brown colour, 5 mm.
broad and about as long, polished, strongly convex, deeply grooved along the centre.
the apex obtuse and very appressed, the margins very narrowly scarious and incon-
spicuously erosely-ciliolate. Seed ovoid, equally rounded at both ends, 10—12 mm.
long, 8—9 mm. broad, detachable from the pericarp, having a glossy slightly uneven,
(not pitted) surface, only marked longitudinally and slightly with some impressed
veins; there is a narrow groove along the raphal side and an intrusion of the
integument deep and globular; the albumen is deeply ruminate; the embryo is
placed in the centre of the side opposite to the intrusion of the integument.
Hasirar.—According to Miquel, this species was found growing near Tapos in
Java. There are several places in Java having that name, but probably here it
means Tapos in Bantam, as other plants collected by Junghuhn bear this locality.
Nobody has as yet found this palm again in Java.
I have drawn the description of this species from specimens in flower and
fruit, collected from plants cultivated at Buitenzorg, precisely under the name of
K. Junghuhnu.
OpsERVATIONS.—In the vegetative organs K. Junghuhnii is so similar to K.
rigida, that when not bearing flowers or fruits, it is nearly impossible to distin-
guish the one from the other. The inflorescence of K. Junghuhnit is however
considerably smaller than that of K. rigida and has fewer and shorter
branches and spikes. The flowers in K. Junghuhnii are somewhat larger than in
K. rigida, and the corolla is relatively shorter; but the principal differences between
the two are in the fruit; that of K. Junghuhnii being several times larger than
that of K. rigida, of a quite different shape and with much larger scales. K.
Junghuhnit resembles also in its leaves K. debilis, but in the latter the albumen
is homogeneous. i
The diagnostic characters of K. Junghuhni are the slender stem; the leaves
having 5—6 elongately cuneate-rhomboidal leaflets on each side of the rhachis;
the ocreae 2—4 cm. long, having a short coriaceous base, and a fibrous and
perishable upper part; the inflorescences composed of but few spike-bearing branches
and these short, and bearing 3—4 spikes only; the spikes slender, of a glabrous
appearance, having the spathels produced above the wool of the flower-bracteoles ;
the fruit globose! or globose-turbinate, 16—18 by 14—15 mm., with the scales
strongly convex, and with almost entire margins ; the seed ruminate.
PLate 79.--Korthalsia Junghuhnii .Mig.—Portion of the stem and leaves from
a full grown plant; a good portion of the spadix in flower; specimen from ‘a
plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Beccari).
Puare 80.—Korthalsia Junghuhnii Mig.—Portion of the stem with a leaf entire;
the end of a früiting plant with the spadix entire. Specimen from a plant culti-
vated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Beccari).
13. KomrHarsiA MerrILLIT Becc. n. sp.
Description.—Very slender and not very high scandent (3—5 m. high—Merrill).
Sheathed stem 8—10 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths fugaciously scaly-furfuraceous,
armed rather closely with scattered ascendent or spreading light-coloured, slender
K. merrillù. KORTHALSIA. 129
spines, 4—6 mm. long. Ocreae tubular,- closely sheathing, 4—5 cm. long, armed
with the same kind of spines as the sheaths, membranous and truncate at their
mouths, later disintegrated more or less into filaments. Leaves of the intermediate
part of the adult plant 35—45 cm. long in the pinniferous part, bearing few (10
in all) alternate leaflets, and ending in a very slender, rather long, very minutely
clawed cirrus. The leaves nearer to the inflorescence considerably smaller. Petiole
very short. Rhachis irregularly and relatively powerfully clawed. Leaflets green on
both surfaces, only slightly paler beneath, but devoid of any kind of pulverulent
or t us indumentum, very variable in size and shape; some are cuneate-
aboiðdal and rather elongate in their lower part; others are exactly rhomboidal,
about as long as broad; generally they have the anterior margins irregularly and
not deeply toothed, some of the teeth being very acute and even subaristate ; the
apex is acute or acuminate, but not produced or caudiculate; the main nerves are
7—9, all slender; transverse veinlets not very sharp. Some of the largest leaflets
measure 16—18 em. by 7—8 cm., others 12—13 cm. by 8—10 cm.; the two lowest
leaflets are the smallest in the few leaves examined ; the ansae are strongly flat-
tened and 5—10 mm. long. The leaves on the upper part of the flowering stem
gradually diminish in length and have the leaflets smaller, broader, more exactly
and symmetrically rhomboidal, and about as long as wide, measuring from 5 to 7
cm. equally in the two directions. The uppermost leaves, immediately below the
inflorescence are, as usual, still more reduced. The inflorescence is small, composed
of very fəw branches (two in the specimen seen by me), about 30 cm. long, bearing
alternately 2 spikes on each side, and a terminal one. The spathes are tubular,
unarmed, closely sheathing, brown, truncate and more or less split and lobed at
their. mouths, finely-striate, slightly and fugaciously puberulous-furfuraceous. Spikes
inserted at the bottom of their respective spathes by means of a slender pedicellar
part, itself provided with infundibular spathes; during the anthesis the spikes are
flexuous, obtuse, 8—10 cm. long, and including the flowers 10—11 mm. in diameter ;
the flowers are half immersed in the dense fulvous wool with which their ee
are covered ; the spathels are broadly triangular, blunt or subacute, often connate,
thinly membranous, reddish-brown, striately-veined, not visible outside the wool of
the bracteoles. Flowers small, 4 mm. long, 15 mm. broad, blunt ; the calyx cyathi-
form-campanulgte, broadly but not deeply 3-lobed, the lobes bluntish ; its mouth
remains on a level with the wool of the. bracteoles, strongly striatély-veined ; the
corolla is about twice as long as the calyx, and is divided nearly to the base into
3 oblong, striate segments; the stamens have very short filaments ; anthers linear,
elongate, acute; ovary small, globose; style conical, reaching about to the middle
of the anthers; stigmas acute.. Fruit unknown.
HaBrrar.—The Philippines: Malampaya Bay in the Island of Palawan at sea
level. Discovered by £Z. D. Merrill in May. 1913 (No. 9410 in Herbaria of the
Bureau of Science, Manila and Beccari).
OBsERVATIONS.—A slender species, in some respects related to X. tenuissima. It
is, however, quite distinet among those provided with closely sheathing and spinous
ocreae by its leaves haying leaflets green on both surface, those of the leaves of
the upper part of the plant being rhomboidal with symmetrical sides. and ‘about
A
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA VoL. XII.
139 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. celebica.
as long as wide, while those of the intermediate leaves are longer than broad ;
by the inflorescences being not much divided; but especially by the spikes having
a very tomentose appearance from the flowers being half immersed in the wool of
their bracteoles, and by the spathels not being produced above that wool.
‘
" PrarE 81.—Korthalsia Merrillii, Becc.— The entire upper flowering end of a plant
(in two parts), from the type specimen (No. 9410) in the Manila Herbarium.
PLate 82.—Korthalsia Merrillii, Becc.— Portion of the stem with an entire leaf
from a young plant. From No. 9410 in the Manila Herbarium.
: Latin Draeyosis.—Korthalsia Merrillii Bece. sp. nov.—Gracilis ; vaginis spinis
gracilibus armatis, ocrea elongata, arcte vaginanti et crebre spinosa, truncata
; membranacea, demum in fibris soluta ; frondibus breviter petiolatis, segmentis rhom-
beis vel cuneato-rhombeis, utrinque viridibus, in margine anteriori argute dentatis
dentibus nonnullis subaristatis ; spadice parce ramoso, spicis conspicue tomentosis
spathellis omnino in tomento immersis.
14. KorrHaLsia CELEBICA Bece. n. sp.
Descriprion.—Slender. Sheathed stem 12—15 mm. in diameter. Leaf sheaths,
more or less disintegrated, especially in their upper part, into a fibrous net on the
ventral side, and armed on that side only with two lines of short, subtubereuli-
form prickles. Ocree elongate (6—8 cm. long), closely sheathing, unarmed, coriaceous
in their basal part on the side of the petiole, and disintezrated into a fibrous
net in the remainder. Leaves having a very short petiolar part (2—4'em. long),
flat above, convex below. 4—6 mm. wide, provided at its axilla with a conspicuous
callosity, and deep transverse rima; rhachis fugaciously rusty furfuraceous, armed
irregularly with rather robust claws; the pinniferous part 35—55 em. long; the
cirrus irregularly clawed, the claws partly ternate, partly half whorled, and partly
scattered. Leaflets not many, usually 5 on each side of the rhachis, oblong-
cuneate or cuneately rhomboidal, longer than broad, acuminate, 15—20 cm long,
6—10 em. wide, paler below than above (not mealy-white beneath), their upper
margins undulate and obtusely lobulate toothed ; the lowest and intermediate leaflets
about the same size; the upper slightly smaller ; ansae 10—15 mm. long, rusty-
furfuraceous, thickish, apparently once fleshy. Flowers and Frust unknown.
Ls
Hasrrat.—In Celebes at Kurosalimbo (Noerkas No. 483 in Buitenzorg and
BeecaridHerbaria, native name “ Wwe Taimanu ” (type specimen); and at- Wadjo
in the S.-W. Peninsula in the Gulf of Boni (Heyne No. 2586 in Buitenzorg and Beccari
Herbaria. Aparently belong to X. celebica also Koorders No. 18398 B (Herb. Bogor.
sterile; and another sterile specimen from Sula Mangoli, one of the group
of Islands to the East of Celebes proper, at about 2° S. L. (Hulstijn No. 393 in
Buitenzorg and Beccari Herbaria).
OssERVATIONS.— Known only in a sterile condition. In general appearance it
resembles the sterile specimens of K. Merilliî, but it has the ocres unarmed, the
lower leaflets of each leaf of about the same size as the intermediate, and the
ansae thickish, and apparently fleshy on the living plant. It is also characterized
by its very developed axillary callosities and the obtusely undulate-toothed margins
of the leaflets.
K. rogersi. KORTHALSIA. 131
Latin Driagnosis—Korthalsia celebica Bece. sp. nov. Gracilis, vaginis in ventre
sphacelato-fibrosis et in dorso spinis tuberculiformibus armatis, ocrea elongata,
arcte vaginanti, inermi, in parte basilari coriacea, superne reticulato-fibrosa ;
frondibus brevissime petiolatis ; petiolo callo axillari conspicuo prædito ; segmentis
ansa crassiusacula suffultis, cuneato-rhombeis, basilaribus et intermediis subæ-
qualibus, utrinque virentibus, subtus vix pallidioribus, in margine anteriori obtuse
undulato-dentatis.
15. KorrHaLsia Rogersit Bece. n. sp.
DESCRIPTION.— Very slender. Sheathed stem, 6 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths
glabrous, finely-striate, quite unarmed. Leaves of the upper part of the fertile
plant (the only ones present) very small, 25—30 cm. long, including a slender
finely elawed cirrus, and having 4 leaflets on each side of the rhachis. Ocrea
elongate, cylindrical very closely sheathing (3 em. long in one specimen), thinly
membranous and fibrous; petiole very short, broadly channelled above, convex
beneath. Rhachis very sparingly and minutely clawed. Leaflets small, 4'5—6 em.
long, 2°5+4 cm. broad, broadly cuneate-rhomboid with the apex acute or caudicu-
late, rigid-papyraceous, glabrous and green on the lower surface or else slightly
paler than on the upper; the margins, from about the middle or from a little
above it, are rather sharply erosely toothed, have 6—7 very fine but acute main
nerves; ansae strongly flattened, 4—5 mm. long. Inflorescence apparently formed
only by a few spreading branches, 15 em. long. (in one specimen) each bearing
very short branchlets with 1—3 spikes only ; primary spathes unarmed, tubular in
their lower part, produced above into an ovate acute limb; the spathes of the
branchlets tubular-infundibuliform, almost truncate at their mouths. Spikes small
3 em. long (always ?), 5 mm. broad (without the flowers), of a very tomentose
appearance, the spathels being entirely concealed by the dense wool of the flower-
bracteoles. Fruit obovate-turbinate, a little attenuate towards the base, roundish or
slightly flattened above, very minutely mucronate, 18 mm. long, 15 mm. broad ;
scales not strongly convex, grooved along the centre, straw-yellowish in colour,
having the apices flattened and of a reddish-brown colour, rather appressed, blun-
tish or rounded, and the margins conspicuously ciliate-fringed.
Haprrar—Collected in the Andamans by C. G. Rogers (22. IIT. 1904, No. 143
Herb. Hort. Cuic. in Herb. Becc.).
-OpsERVATIONS.—I have seen only the terminal part of this plant bearing two
leaves, a portion of the inflorescence, and one fruit.
This apparently distinct species is mentioned by Brandis under K. laciniosa
Mart. (Indian Trees, p. 719) (Addenda). gs
If it is not a dwarf form of K. laciniosa, it certainly represents one of the
smallest species of the genus, having the dimensions of K. tenuissima.
It is characterized by its very slender stem. by the small leaves having rhom-
boidal subconcolorous leaflets, by its ,elongate closely sheathing ocreae, by the small
tomentose spikes, and by the relatively large globose fruit.
PLare 83.—(Lower figure) Korthalsia Rogersi Bece.—The entire type specimen
in Herb. Beccari.
\
)
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
132 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. tenuissima.
Latin Driagnosis —Korthalsia Rogersii Bece. sp. nov. Gracilis; vaginis inermibus,
‘ocrea cylindrica elongata, arcte vaginanti, tenuiter membranacea et fibrosa; frondibus
superioribus parsis, brevissime petiolatis, segmentis paucis cuneato-rhombeis, con-
coloribus vel subtus vix pallidioribus ; inflorescentiis parce ramosis, spicis parvis,
tomentosis; fructibus obovato-turbinatis, pro rata majusculis, squamis in margine
conspicue ciliato-fimbriatis.
16. RKoRrrHaLsiA TENUISSIMA. Bece. Malesia, ii, 275; Hook f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi,
476; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins, h x.
DescrIPrION.—A very slender palm, up to 30 m, long. Sheathed stem 4—5 mm.
in diameter, the naked canes only 3 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths glabrous, finely
striate, armed with a few short scattered claws. Leaves very small, those of the
upper part of the flowering plant are only 20—30 em. long, including a slender
finely-clawed cirrus, and on the whole have only 4—6 leaflets. Ocree cylindrical,
very closely sheathing, glabrous and unarmed, 15—20 mm. long. membranous,
perishable in their upper part. Petiole short, and furnished, at its axilla, with a
. conspicuous and swollen cushion. The leaflets are alternate, rigid-papyraceous,
cuneately rhomboidal, have the apex acute and somewhat caudiculate, and the upper
margin, from above the middle, undulately and obsoletely toothed; are conspicuously
discolorous, being deep green above, and covered on the lower surface with a thin
chalky coating; the main nerves are about 7 but very faint, and only the central
one rather sharp; the largest leaflets are 10—12 mm. long, 3—4 cm. broad ; those
of the uppermost leaves are considerably smaller; the ansae appear to have been
rather fleshy and 3—6 mm. long. Inflorescence formed of a very few terminal, erect
spikes (2—3 in the feẸ specimens seen by me). Spathes smooth, sheathing in
their lower part, expanded above into a broad ass's ear-like, acuminate limb. S pikes
8—10 em. long and 12—13 mm. in diameter with the flowers, and only 6 mm.
without; in this latter condition they have a slightly tomentose appearance ; spathels
concave, roundish, striately-veined, slightly proluced beyond the wool of the flower
bracteoles, the two external of which are.amplectent, and form a deep cup, crested
with a cushion of short, thick, woolly hairs for their respective flowers. The Howers
are disposed on the spikes in about 12 longitudinal series, and protrude considerably
beyond the involucra, above which the mouth of the calyx is visible; the fully
developed flower buds are terete, oblong, obtuse, 6, mm. long, 2—5 mm. broad; the
calyx is campanulate, obsoletely 3-toothed, striately-veined ; the corolla is twice, or
even a little more, as long as the calyx; its segments oblong and finely striately
veined, are very shortly united by their bases; the stamens have very short and
thick filaments, very shortly united to the corolla by their bases; the anthers are
linear, bluntish or acute; the ovary is small, surmounted by a thick columnar
style, trigonous and longitudinally suleate, always a little shorter than the stamens ;
stigmas punctiform. Fruit unknown.
Hasitat.—The Malay Peninsula at Larut in Perak, in low swampy grounds in
dense forests (King’s Collector No. 4657 in the Calcutta Herbarium).
OnsERVATIONS.—AÀ very slender species, distinguishable by its very small leaves,
having very few rhomboidal leaflets, chalky white beneath, by its entire, very closely
K. laciniosa. KORTHALSIA. 133
sheathing ‘and unarmed ocreæ, and by its inflorescence, composed of only a few
spikes of a not very tomentose aspect and bearing relatively large flowers.
PrarE 84.—Korthalsia tenuissima Bece.—The entire type specimen in the Her-
barium at Calcutta.
17. KorrHaLsia Laciyiosa Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 211, 343; Miq. Fl. Ind.
Bat. in, 77 (K. laciniata); Kurz, Burm. Palms in Journ. As. Soc.,
Beng. xlii (1874), 207 (excl. syn.): For. Fl. Brit. Burma, ii, 513; Becc.
Malesia, ii, 74 (excl. pl. Selangore) and in Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat., Paris
(1911), 158; Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 479; Gamble Man. Ind. Timb.,
2d. edit., 737; Brandis, Ind. Trees, 654, 719.
K. laciniosa Mart. ? Becc in Webbia di U. Mart. iii, (1910) 244.
Jalamosagus laciniosus Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 93, t. 1; Palms
Brit. Ind. 27, t. CLXXXIII and CCXVI, f. 2.
K. andamanensis Becc. Malesia, ii, 76.
K. scaphigera (non Mart.) Kurz in Journ. As. Soc, Beng. l. c. 907 (excl.
Syn.) t. XX f. A: Forest Fl. l c.
Description.—A large species. Sheathed stem 2—3 cm. in diameter. ar uei
distintegrating along the ventral side into embracing fibres, otherwise very thick
and woody, quite smooth or at times more cr less armed, especially at the base of
the petioles and along the dorsum, with very short straight horizontal or slightly
deflexed scattered spines having a very thick base. The ocre@ are elongate,
10—15 em. long, and prolonged above into a liguliform limb. are unarmed, or fur-
nished at most with only a few spinules, are originally dry and thinly membran-
ous, but very soon become entirely ragged and disintegrated into filaments, especially
on the ventral side, so much so that in old leaves the ocree may appear to be
. wanting. Leaves large, those of young plants terminating in a fiabellate leaflet;
those of half grown plants have a slender cirrus, and a rather elongate 20—25
em. petiole, whereas those of the full grown and fertile plants have the petiole
short, the pinniferous part about 1°5 m. long, ending in a very powerfullv-clawed
cirrus about as long, and bearing about 10 leaflets on each side of the rhachis. The
petioles in no case have any distinct callosities at their axillas, are broadly chan-
nelled above, convex and unarmed below. and are more less irregularly beset on
their margins, especially in their basal part, with straight spines, the largest of
which are 10—12 mm. long. The rhachis is armed at the sides below (but not
along the centre) with single robust claws; in some leaves, apparently belonging
to young plants, the petiole is quite unarmed. The leaflets are very variable in shape
and size, from considerably longer than broad or euneate-oblong or obovoid-cuneate
to broadly rhomboidal or trapezoidal and about as long as broad; they are green
above and more or less glaucous and in newly expanded leaves are distinctly
mealy-white beneath; they are rigidly-papyraceous, have 11—15 equally strong
main, radiating nerves, ending in as many double-toothed, sharp, subulate points, the
134 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. laciniosa.
point of the centre, the true apex, being longer than the others ; transverse- veinlets
much interrupted, and not very prominent. The largest leaflets are 20—30 and at
times as much as 40 cm. long, and 15—20 cm. broad; those of the lower part
of every leaf are usually as long, but narrower than those above; the largest
and broadest are those of the middle. The anse are very conspicuous, very
strongly flattened, and almost laminar, 15—20 mm. up to 3 cm. long, and 4 mm.
broad, glabrous or nearly so. Inflorescence large,. divided into several secondary or
tertiary spike-bearing branches 20—30 cm. long; spathes tubular-infundibuliform,
truncate or produced above into a short triangular limb, usually smooth, at times
slightly prickly, at first entire, but at the fruiting stage more or less split. The
spikes are alternate, 3—5 on each branch, have a conspicuous tomentose appearance,
the tip only of the spathels being visible outside the dense wool of the flower
bracteoles; are usually 8—10 em. long, at times shorter, and 13—14 mm. broad,
and 7 mm. without the flowers; spathels very broad, strongly striately-veined
connate by their margins, almost entirely immersed in the wool of the bracteoles
and having only their small traingular apex very shortly prolueed beyond the wool
which is very'copious in the two principal floral braeteules. Flowers arranged in 12
longitudinal series; the full grown buds are oblong. obtuse, very obsoletly trigonous
or subterete, 6 mm. long, 2°5 mm. broad; the calyx is cyathiform, attenuate to the
base, striately veined, divided down to about the middle into 3 very broad acute
teeth ; its mouth remains at a level with the wool of the braeteoles ; the corolla
is three times, or nearly so, as long as the calyx, deeply divided into 3 carti-
laginous cymbiform acute segments, finely-striate outside; the stamens have thick
and short triangular filaments, united to the short undivided basal part of the
corolla; anthers long-sagittate, acute; ovary ovoid, narrowing above to a conical
sulcate acute style, reaching the bases of the anthers. The fruit is obovoid, and
is attenuate a little at the base, is rounded above and surmounted by a small
pungent, 1°5 mm. long beak, is 16-17 mm. long (including the beak) and 11 mm.
broad; the scales are arranged in 15 longitudinal series, subsquarrose, or having
the apices not very appressed, are slightly convex, faintly and broadly grooved
along the centre, of a cinnamon brown colour in their posticous part, thinner, and
‘ of a lighter colour anticously, and marked with a darker intramarginal line near
the apices, the margins conspicuously ciliate-fringed. Seed globular-ovoid, 10—11 mm.
long, 8 mm. broad, equally rounded at both ends, the surface slightly uneven or
rimulose or very obsoletely tubercled; the intrusion of the integument is very
large; albumen ruminate.
Haprrat.—Tenasserim, Andamans and Nieobars, Sumatra, Indo-China (?). Griffith
established this species on specimens collected in woods along the sea-shores of
the Islands of the Mergui Archipelago. These specimens exactly correspond with
some (sterile) collected by Brandis at Salween in N. Tenasserim. It seems a
rather common plant in the Andamans, and in the Nicobars. From the Andamans
L.have seen the specimens referred by Kurz to K. scaphigera’ (my description of
the fruit is derived from these). In the South Andamans specimens were gathered
by Didrichsen at Sambalong (Galathea-Expedit, 1845-47—Herb. Haun.); on the
Putatan stream by Prain’s Collector (No, 58 in Herb. Cale. and Becc. and No. 49
without precise locality); in the Jarawakhari Jungle by King’s Collector (No. 110
K. laciniosa. KORTHALSIA. ` 135
in Calcutta Herbarium). Large sterile specimens from the Andamans were sent to
me in 1889 by Mr. E. H. Man under the native name of “Por.” In Sumatra it
was encountered recently (1915) by M. Grasshof at Lematang ulu in the Residency
of Palembang (specimens with fruits in the Herbaria of Buitenzorg and Beccari).
From the Nicobars I have seen a specimen (one leaflet only) from the Great
Nicobar at Ganges Harbour (Rogers in Calcutta Herbarium) and a portion of the
spadix in flower from Car Nicobar (King’s Collector—Caleutta Herbarium—the flowers
described above are from this specimen). Also from the Nicobars Mr. Man sent
me in 1888 large fruiting specimens under the native name of *Shamoa." To this
Palm Gamble gives the Andamanese names of “ Bordah” and * Parida.”
It seems to me that sóme sterile specimens collected by Pierre in Cambodia
- (No. 4860 on Mt. Keerev, Prov. Samrong*ton; No. 1878 at Songlu, Prov. Bien-hoa,
and No. 1877 at Bow-Chiang in Cochin China ; all in the Herbarium at Paris) may
be considered as not specifically distinet from the plant of the Andamans and the
Nicobars.
A note of Pierre to his No. 4860 states this palm to be a very high scandent
plant, with stem 3—4 em. in diameter, and to No. 1878 he attributes the names of
‘May-ra” in the Annamite, and “ Re-ngan" in the Moi languages.
Osservarions.—This is one of the largest species of the genus, distinguishable
by its leaf sheaths distintegrating into a fibrous net along the ventral side, and
not, or only very sparingly, spinous, and prolonged into a very elongate not inflated
ocrea of a thin membranous perishable nature ; by the large leaves having numerous
oblong-cuneate or cuneate-rhomboidal or exactly rhomboidal or trapezoidal leaflets,
at first mealy-white, but finally simply glavcescent beneath, presenting 11—15 main
` nerves, which end in as many sharply double-toothed and subulate points; by the
large. paniculate much branched inflorescences; by the spikes of a very densely
wooly, appearance when without flowers, having their spathels projecting very briefly
beyond the wool; by the fruit obovoid, but suddenly beaked, having subsquarrose
scales, slightly convex, not deeply grooved, and densely ciliate-fringed at the margins,
and by the ruminate albumen of the seed.
It is very variable in size, shape and colour of the leaflets, according to the
age of the plant and the position the leaves occupy on the stem. The leaf-sheaths
also vary in their armature. Man's specimens received under the name of "Por"
have quite smooth leaf sheaths, covered with a light coloured, fugacious, powdery
efflorescense. The other specimens from the Nicobars, also collected by Man, but
sent under the native name "Shamoa" have the powdery efflorescence on the leaf-
sheaths of a dark colour, and are rather powerfully armed along the dorsum with
rather robust, broad spines, having sharp edges, and very short points. These
specimens somewhat differ from those I have seen from the Andamans, in having
more roundish fruits with darker scales, a difference probably dependent on age, their
fruits not being perfectly mature. I have, however. found the flowers of the specimens
from the Nicobars to be quite identicak with those of the Andamans. Kurz writes
that in the Andamans occurs another species of the habit of K. laciniosa, but with
136 ' ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. teysmannit.
the sheaths densely covered with sharp spines ; probably, however, that spinescence
is only an oceasional, not a specifie character.
Grasshoff's Sumatran specimens exactly agree with those from the Andamans.
Pirate 83.—(In the upper part of the plate) Korthalsia laciniosa Mart. Small,
portion, near the end, of a leaf from the upper part of a fertile plant; branch of
the panicle bearing spikes with flowers. Specimen from the S: Andamans, Prain's
Collector No. 58 in Herb. Beccari.
PLarte 85.—Korthalsia laciniosa Mart.—Portion of the spadix with not quite mature
fruits; portion of the sheathed stem, and base of a leaf, from a not full grown
plant (the leaf was terminated by a slender cirrus); intermediate portion of a leaf
(whieh was terminated by a robust cirrus) belonging to an adult plant. From Man's
specimens from the Nicobars, with the native name “Shamoa” (Herb. Beccari).
PLate 86.—Korthalsia laciniosa Mart.—Portion of the sheathed stem and inter-
mediate portion of a leaf from a not full grown plant. (The leaf had a not very
robust cirrus.) From Man's specimens from the Apusmans, with the native name
“Por” (Herb. Beccari).
18. KomruHarsiA Teysmannna Mig. in Journ. Bot. Neerl, i, 16.:r.Prod FI.
Sum. 255, 591; De Palm. Are. Ind. 17, 26; Becc. Malesia, ii, 76.
K. robusta Bl. Rumphia, ii, 70 (as to the leaves only and partly).
K. grandis Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 217;
DzescRiPTION.— The largest of all known. Skeathed stem 2—3 cm. in diametef and
at its upper and flowering end apparently considerably more. Leaf sheaths more or
less spinous, thick and woody on the dorsum, of a thinner structure and often
spli& and laeerated on the ventral side. Ocree closely sheathing, 8—10 up to 15
18 cm. long, partially covered with a removable tobacco-coloured fugacious scurf,
thinly coriaceous or papyraceous, truncate above, finally more or less ragged or
disintegrated into fibres, armed with some scattered, broad, laminar, straight spreading
spines. The intermediate leaves of the adult plants have a petiole 10—20 cm. long,
10—12 mm. broad, spinous on the margins, and not having a distinct callus at its
axilla; the pinniferous part is about 1°30—1°50 m. long, bears 8—9 leaflets on each side,
and ends in a long robust clawed cirrus. The rhachis is armed below at the sides
but not along the centre, with single robust claws. The leaflets are at first mealy,
whitish beneath, and finally only slightly paler than above; those of the lower part of
every leaf are oblong-cuneate, 25—30 cm. long, and only 7—8, cm. broad, and at times
even less; the intermediate leaflets are larger and broader, cuneate-rhomboidal or
trapezoidal, 30—35 em. long, 13—16 cm. broad, have li—15 main nerves, which
end in as many double-toothed subulate points; the transverse veinlets are much
interrupted and not particularly prominent. The leaves nearer to the base of the
inflorescence are much reduced in length, have a very short petiole, and the
rhachis closely clawed; their leaflets are considerably smaller than in the lower
leaves, e or rhomboidal-cuneate ; distinctly plicato-pluricostulate, 8—12
em. long, 3—6 cm. broad; the uppermost leaves are still more reduced, and
have still narrower leaflets. Inflorescence large, up to 150 m. long. composed of
K. teysmannit. KORTHALSIA. 137
several secondary branches, 20—40 cm. long; spathes tubular-infundibuliform, pro-
duced above to a triangular acute limb. usually smooth or, in the lower part of
the panicle, slightly prickly. Spikes horizontally spreading from a robust pedicellar
part, alternate, 3—4 on each branch, relatively large, of a conspleuous tomentose
appearance, 11—12 cm. long, and when without the flowers. 10 mm. in diameter
throughout immediately from the base; the spathels are low. reniform, considerably
broader than high, not or very obsoletely apiculate, united by their margins, and
almost invisible. outside, being hidden by the very abundant wool of the flower-
braeteoles. Flowers . . . In the fruiting perianth the calyx only remains and
is split down to the base into 3, broadly ovate, acute, finely-striate segments. Fruit
obovate-turbinate, flattish above, but having a short conical beak in the centre;
it is gradually attenuate at the base, 20—24 mm. long, 17—18 mm. broad ; scales
in 16—17 longitudinal series, with the apices not very appressed or sub-squarrose ;
the largest scales are 5 mm. broad, slightly convex, broadly channelled along the
centre, of a yellow straw colour in the posticous part, produced anticously into
a thin, triangular, membranous, reddish-brown apex, and conspicuously laciniate-
ciliate on the margins. Seed obovoid, rounded at both ends, 14—15 mm. long, 1l
mm. broad, the surface slightly uneven, rimulose or very obsoletely tubercled,
grooved along the lower half on the raphal side ; intrusion of the integument very
large; albumen deeply ruminate ; embryo placed a little below the middle on the 7
antiraphal side. | !
HanrrAT.—Originally described by Miquel from specimens gathered by Teysmann
in the interior of East Sumatra at Muara dua in the Province of Palembang;
native name ‘ Tengkurungo." Found there again by Grashoff (No. 425 Buitenzorg
and Beccari Herbaria) It was cultivated several years ago in the Botanieal
Garden at Buitenzorg, whence the late Dr. Treub forwarded to me in 1885 good \
fruiting specimens (those described above) under the name of K. robusta Bl.
Recently sterile specimens, which, however, I consider confidently as referable to
K. Teysmannii, were collected again in Sumatra in Lampong by Heyne No. 317 in
Buitenzorg Herbarium. A Korthalsía growing in Java on the volcano Salak, of
e^
which specimens from sterile plants were sent to me from the Buitenzorg Herbarium
(Heyne Nos. 9, 40, 42, 53) and others collected by Koorders (No. 345808) on
Gunong Djanti, near i risi Residency of Preanger are also, I think, referable
to K. Teysmanni.
~ ` If K. grandis Ridley is, as I presume, the same as K. Teysmannii the
geographical disiribution of the latter would be extended to Singapore. (See K.
grandis Ridley among the imperfectly known species.)
OxnsERVATIONS.—It is perhaps the largest species of the genus; very closely
related to K. laciniosa, from which it is barely distinguishable when in a sterile
condition. In K. Teysmamnmi, however, the ocree are of a more rigid texture, and e
less worn-out by age and more spinous than in K. laciniosa; but the main
differences lie in the fruit. that. of K. Teysmanni being CARATE larger than
that of K. laciniosa, more distinctly turbinate, clothed with larger scales, which
also are prolonged into a membranous conspicuously ciliate triangular apex.
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
138 . ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. feroz.
From the description given by Miquel it would have been impossible to
recognise this species, which was based upon very incomplete specimens, consisting
only of the terminal part of the flowering plant. Of these specimens (No. 3593
Herb. Bog.), however, I received from the Utrecht Herbarium a fragment, which
has rendered the identification of the plant described by Miquel, with that Sag
at Buitenzorg, and described above by me, quite certain.
PLare 88.—Korthalsia Teysmannii Mig.—Upper end of a fruiting piant: one of
the leaves immediately below the inflorescence ; a segment of the intermediate part
of a leaf from a full grown plant ; portion of the fruiting spadix. From the speci-
mens sent to’me by Treub under the name of K. robusta, Bl. (Herb. Beccari).
Pirate 88.—Korthalsia Teysmannii Mig.—(K. grandis, Ridley). Upper part of a
leaf-sheath with its ocrea, and base of a leaf, and an intermediate portion of it;
from Ridley's co-ttype specimens of K. grandis in Herb. Beccari.
|
19. KortHaLsIia FEROX Bece. Malesia, n. 73.
Description.—One of the largest. but the first description of this species was
derived from specimens apparently belonging to not fully grown plants (P. B.
No. 1913), which have the stem when covered with the leaf-sheaths 10—20 cm.
in diameter. The leaf-sheaths are finely and fugaciously rusty furfuraceous, thin
and more or less disintegrated into fibres on the ventral side, and rather powerfully
armed all round with straight, broad-based, rather short (5—12 mm. long) spreading
spines, solitary or often more or less confluent by their bases. The ocre@, in the
above-mentioned specimens, are 4—9 cm. long, closely sheathing and also rather
thickly armed with spines similar to those of the sheaths, coriaceous in their lower
part, but membranous and ragged or more or less disintegrated into a fibrous net-
work above, and along the ventral (external) side. The leaves are large and bear
several cuneate-rhomboidal leaflets, 11—25 cm. long, 6—9 cm. broad, glaucescent
beneath, and provided with flattened anse. In one specimen, which I consider as
representing the adult and fertile stage of this palm taken from a plant cultivated
at Buitenzorg (introduced from Borneo) the sheathed stem is about 4 cm. in diameter ;
the leaf-sheaths are armed on the ventral side only with strong, flattened, broad-
based spines, 10—15 mm. long, and usually obliquely inserted; the ocrea is about
10 em. long, dry and perishable, especially on the external side, armed with spines
exactly like those of the sheaths or even larger, some being 2 em. long and 10 mm,
broad at their bases, and also obliquely inserted. The leaves are very large; the
petiole (in one specimen) is flattish above, convex beneath, 20 cm. long, 15 mm.
broad and has no distinct callus at its axilla; the pinniferous part is 1°50 m.
long, bears several leaflets on each side, and ends in a long and robust clawed
cirrus. The leaflets are rigid-papyracecus, almost equally green jon both surfaces
or slightly paler beneath than above, cuneate-rhomboidal; generally the intermediate
leaflets of every leaf are larger than those of both ends, have 11—13 equally strong
main nerves, ending in as many double-toothed sharp, subulate points, of which the
central is longer than the others; the largest (intermediate) leaflets are 30—35 cm.
long, 12—15 em. broad; the basilar are about 30 cm. long, and 6—9 cm. broad ;
b
K. ferox. KORTHALSIA. 139
the uppermost 20—25 cm. long by 8—10 broad; the ansæ are very strongly
flattened or laminar and very long (3:3—5 em.) The spadix (only fragments seen
by me) is very much like that of K. Teysmannü; the spikes, borne on a rather long
pedicellar part, are exserted from their respective spathes, are 10—11 em. long, 10
mm. broad. and have a conspicuous tomentose appearance, their spathels being
entirely hidden in the dense wool of the flower-bracteoles. Fruit oblong-turbinate or
broadly clavate-turbinate, gradually attenuate from near the apex towards the base,
with the apex rounded and surmotinted by a short conical pungent mucro, 2 cm.
long, and 10—11 cm. broad; the scales are in 15 longitudinal series, regularly
rhomboidal, the largest 5 mm. long and as many broad, convex, deeply grooved
along the centre, glossy, uniformly reddish-brown, with a very narrow dark intra-
marginal line; the apices appressed, not prolonged, obtuse; the margins bordered
with a narrow fringe of rusty cilia. Seed oblong or oblong-elliptical, 13—14 mm.
long, 75—85 mm. broad, and a little less in thickness, being slightly flattened
blunt at both ends; its surface is covered by a network of faintly impressed veins
and is grooved (not deeply) along the raphal side; the intrusion of the integu-
ment is large and oblong; the albumen is ruminate; the embryo is in the middle
of the antiraphal side. »
Hasirat.—Borneo. The description of K. ferox was based on sterile specimen
collected by me on Mt. Mattang near Kuching, in Sarawak (P. B. Nos. 1913, 1926);
native name ‘“ Rotang Dahan” or the “Branched Rotang,” a name applied by the
Malays to all Korthalstas having a large terminal inflorescence.
Specimens corresponding to the preceding, but having the leaf-sheaths and the
ocreæ still more densely spinous were collected by. Heyne (No. 2523 Buitenzorg
and Beccari Herbaria) at Pontianak, in Dutch Borneo. All the above-mentioned
specimens are evidently from plants that had not attained their full development.
One from the Sungei Kenepai collected by Hallier (No. 2018 in Buitenzorg Her-
barium) apparently belonging to a more adult plant than the preceding, but exactly
corresponding to them in general aspect. has the sheathed stem 20—22 cm. in
diameter, but the leaflets are larger, some of them being 28 cm. long and 12—13
cm. broad. This specimen makes the transition to the plantbearing fruit, upon
which I have mainly based the description of the adult plant, and which was
gathered from a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg, but of Bornean origin.
OnsEkvATIONS.— K. ferox is very closely related to K. Teysmannii and K. lacini-
osa ; indeed the specimens of these three species are with difficulty, if at all, dis-
tinguishable the one from the other, when not in fruit.
K. ferox is characterized by its large size; by the ocreæ covered with broad,
flattened spines; by the large leaves bearing numerous cuneate-rhomboidal leaflets, -
having the upper margins terminated by very acuminate teeth; by the spikes
tomentose and having the spathels entirely immersed in the wool of the flower-
bracteoles; but especially by the oblong-clavate fruit, considerably narrowing at
the base, and having convex deeply grooved scales, with narrowly and minutely
fringed, ciliate margins, and obtuse, appressed apices; and finally by the oblong,
ruminate seed. .
"PANN: Roy. Bor. GARD, CALCUTTA; VOL. XI.
140 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. ferox.
PLate $89.—Korthalsia ferox — Becc.— The type specimen P. B. No. 1926 in
Herb. Beccari.
PLate 90.—Korthalsia ferox Becc.—Leaf-sheath with its ocrea and the base
of the petiole; upper end of a leaf from a full grown plant; portion of the
fruiting spadix. From a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (No. 385 Herb. Bogor. in
Herb. Beccari).
19a. KORTHALSIA FEROX var. MALAYANA Becc. in Hook. f. FI. Brit. Ind. vi
476; Ridley, Mat. FI. Mal. Penins. ii, 218.
Descriprion.—Smaller than the type. Sheathed stem of the flowering plant 15 mm.
in diameter. The leaf sheaths and the very short truncate ocre@ are armed with
very short spines on the ventral face; petiole and rhachis fugaciously furfuraceous.
Leaflets few, rhomboidal, or in younger plants cuneaie-rhomboidal, 12—29 cm. long,
6—10 cm. wide, greenish beneath, rather obtusely and boldly undulately double-
toothel on the upper margin; the teeth very shortly apiculate (not aristate); the
anse somewhat flattened, thiekish at the base. »florescence small, apparently about
60 cm. long, composed of a few short primary branches, each bearing a very few
spikes. The spikes have a pelicellar part more or less exserted from their
respective spathes, are 8—10 cm. long, 10—11 mm. in diameter with and 6 mm.
without the flowers and have not a very tomentose appearance, the calices of the
flowers being half exserted from the woolly bracteoles. Flowers 45 mm. long.
Hasirat.—The Malay Peninsula at Larut in dense jungle on the Hills (King’s
Collector No. 6563 in Herb. Cale. The type specimen with flowers.) Sterile
specimens have also been collected in the same region by Scorteckini, one bearing
the date September 1884 on Gunong ljuk.
Osservarions.—I have considered this as a variety of K. feror, but it could
also be supposed to be a distinct species or a form of K. laciniosa, from which,
however, differs in its smaller dimension; in the short, slightly spinous ocre® ; by
the leaflets being only obtusely toothed, and the smaller spikes less distinctly
tomentose and having smaller flowers, with their calices conspicuously protruding
beyond the villous bracteoles. In the type specimens one leaf from the upper part
of the plant has a very short petiole and the pinniferous part is 30 em. long,
and has in all 9 segments exactly rhomboidal. In one of Scortechini’s specimens,
that from Gunong Ijuk, the leayes are exactly of the dimensions of the type, but
the leaf-sheaths are armed on their lower part and on the dorsal face with rather
robust sbort conical prickles and with small spines above on the ventral face, as
well as on the short (1 em. long) truncate ocree. One leaf has the petiole 20 cm.
long, the pinniferous part 15 em. long and bearing 10 cuneately-rhomboidal leaflets.
Other specimens also collected by Scortechini, belonging to younger plants, have
smooth leaf-sheaths, ocreæ coriaceous in their basal part and terminated by a perish-
able fibrious-net and leaves of the dimensions of the other specimens. Probably
when the fruit of this variety shall be known, it may prove to be a distinct
species. Š
K. wallichiafolia. KORTHALSIA. 141
PLate 91.—Korthalsia ferox var. malayana Bece.—The entire typical specimen
in the Calcutta Herbarium.
20. KorrHarsia WarLicHLEFOLIA H. Wendl. in Kerchove, Palms, 248; Bece.
Malesia, n, 75; Hook. f. FI. Brit. Ind. vi, 475; Ridley Mat. Fl. Mal,
Penins. il, 217. ;
Calamosagus Wallichiefolius Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 35.
C. Harinefolius Griff. Palms Brit. Ind. 29, t. CLXXXIV.
Drescription.—Large and high scandent. Sheathed stem 2—3°5 cm. in diameter.
Leaf-sheaths thick and woody, more or less split along and disintegrated into a
fibrous net on the ventral side, very sparingly armed with short conical prickles or
almost smooth; the surface is dull, and very slightly rough to the touch. Ocree
of old leaves closely sheathing, truncate, short (1—2 em. long), more or less disin-
tegrated into fibres on the ventral side, unarmed or nearly so, apparently produced
into a perishable membranous and fibrous “limb in young leaves. The leaves of
the adult plant are large, have numerous leaflets, and end in a long robust cirrus ;
the petiole is flattened, flattish above, has very obtuse edges, is convex and armed
with few robust claws beneath, and is furnished with a conspicuous callus at its
axilla; the rhachis is armed below with robust claws, at first single, then binate-
` higher up tri-nate, and in the cirrus 5-nate or half-whorled. The leaflets are at
first whitish beneath and finally slightly glaucous or only somewhat paler than above;
those of the lower part of every leaf are cuneate-rhomboidal, about 30 em. long,
10 em. broad; the intermediate are broader, rhomboidal or trapezoidal, 20—25 cm.
long, 18—20 em. wide, have 9—11 main nerves, which end in as many obsoletely
double-toothed, not produced, broad, bluntish points. The anse are elongate, 10—20
and at times up to 30 mm. long, thickish and wrinkled, and therefore in the
living plant probably somewhat fleshy and subterete, very minutely rusty-furfurace-
ous; the same kind of minute scurf covers the petiole and the rhachis in newly
expanded leaves, but is _more or less deciduous afterwards, and the surface of those
organs remains very minutely scabrid. The inflorescence, according to the plate
given by Griffith, is large, the flower-bearing branches are short, and bear only 2—3
spikes; the latter are 20 cm. long and 1 cm. broad, tomentose. but with the spa-
thels very clearly visible or even considerably produced beyond the wool of the
flower-braeteoles. Fruit
Hanrrar.— The Malay Peninsula and probably also Sumatra. Griffith deseribed
this species from specimens brought to him from a place called Kussan (or Kesang ?)
near Malacca. Ridley says that it is common in Singapore at Bukit Timah
‘(No. 10407 in Herb. Becc.) and in Johore at Kwala Sembrong (Ridley). To this
species belongs, I think, a specimen collected in Selangor by Franz Keheding in
1878 (Herb. Becc.) This specimen in ^" Malesia” II, 74 was considered to be
K. laciniosa. | | a
Apparently also referable to K. Wallichiefolia is Heynes No. 311 of the
Buitenzorg Herbarium, collected in Lampong (S.-E. Sumatra), represented by a
specimen from a young plant, the leaves of which have the petiole with a large
-
142 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. hallieriana.
axillary callus, obtusely toothed leaflets, sad thickish rusty-furfuraceous wrinkled
anse.
Ridley writes of K. Wallichiefolia that, although a common plant in Singapore,
he never succeeded in finding flowering specimens. Probably this Rattan is much
sought after by the natives, and is gathered before the plant has attained its complete
development.
OssERYVATIONS.—It is one of the largest, but a very imperfectly known species,
very similar to K. laciniosa, but as noted by Griffith, distinguishable by the obtuse-
ness of the teeth of the leaflets, and I may add, by the thick callus and trans-
verse rima occurring in the axilla of the petioles, and by the thickish rimulose
anse of the leaflets, which in the living plant apparently must be somewhat fleshy
and subterete and not strongly flattened as those of K. laciniosa.
The same peculiarities differentiate K. Wallichiafolia, from R. Teysmannii and —
K. feror.
According to the description and plate given by Griffith, X. Wallichicefolta
differs from K. laciniosa and K. Teysmannii also in the spikes having the spathels
produced beyond the wool of the flower-bracteoles, instead of being almost entirely
hidden by the tomentum. Griffith gives for his Calamosagus Wallichicfolius, the
_ Malay name of “ Retang Simote” (Sumut or the “the Rotang of the Ants." (This
name, however. is strictly speaking given to the Korthalsias which harbour ants in
their inflated ocree ; but possibly ants are clients of this Palm also, on account
of the. calluses ARA in the axillas of the petioles, and apparently also of the
anse which probably ai the function of extra-floral nectaries.
PLATE CIE Ae Wallichisefolia Wendl.—Intermediate ^ portion of the
sheathed, stem and base of a leaf (note the callosity at its axila); upper portion
of a leaf from an adult plant. From Ridley's specimen No. 10407 in Herb.
Beccari. |
21. KoRrtHALsIA HALLIERIANA Bece. n. sp.
DescrIPrION.—Skeathed stem 14—16 mm. in diameter, with long internodes. Lug:
sheaths not gibbous above, gradually passing into the petiole, almost smooth, present-
ing only a few short spines along two lines on the ventral face. Ocree short,
truncate, perishable, closely sheathing, unarmed. Leaves rather large; petiole
25—28 em. long, 6 mm. broad, and having a conspicuous axillary callus, flat above,
convex and armed with a few solitary scattered claws beneath; the pinniferous
part, 60 cm. long, bearing 5—6 leaflets on each, side of the rhachis; the rhachis
is angular, rusty furfuraceous, irregularly armed beneath with. solitary or ternate
claws, the cirrus rather robust. The leaflets are all opposite, or nearly so (in 3
leaves), rigid-papyraceous. concolorous, or withoui any special indumentum on the
lower surface, rhomboidal, cuneate in their lower half, and having the upper margin
obtusely* undulately-toothed, and suddenly terminated by an acuminate tip, have
7—9 radiating main nerves, and the transverse veinlets slender, and rather approxi-
mate; the lowest leaflets are the largest, 13—20 cm. long and 9—13 cm. wide;
t
K. flagellaris. KORTHALSIA. 143
the upper ones slightly smaller; the anse are 8—12 mm. long, thickish and
Ape have been fleshy. Other parts unknown.)
HanrrAr.—Duteh Borneo, collected by Hallier E the Borneo-Expedition, 1893-
94 (Nos. 2135 in Buitenzorg Herbarium.)
OBSERYATIONS.—AÀ very imperfectly known species, apparently related to K.
Wallichiafolia on account of its leaves having at the axilla of the petioles a very
conspicuous callus, leaflets with very obtusely-undulately toothed upper margin and
thickish, not flattened anse; it is moreover most remarkable for its opposite, or
nearly so, leaflets ; a character which, if constant and not purely accidental, would
easily distinguish K. Haliveriana from any other.
PLate 93.—Korthalsia Hallieriana Becc—The entire type specimen No. 2135 in
the Buitenzorg Herbarium.)
Larix Diraewosm.—Korthalsia Hallieriana Bece. sp. nov. Mediocris ; vaginis fere
inermibus, ocrea brevi, truncata, mareescenti, inermi; frondibus amplis, petiol
longiusculo, callo axillari conspicue pradito ; segmentis ansa crassiuscula suffultis-
utrinque 5—6, plerumque oppositis, concoloribus, in arene superiori obtuse-undulato-
dentatis.
22. KORTHALSIA FLAGELLARISED.—Miq. in Journ. Bot. Neerl. 15 and Prodr. FI.
Sam. 255, 591;. Bece. Malesia, ii, 276. t. LXIV. f. 3; Hook f. FI. Brit.
Ind. vi, 476; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 219.
K. rubiginosa Bece. Malesia, ii, 72; Ridley, l. c.;
K. angustifolia (not of Bl.) Mig. De Palm. Arc, Ind. 1526, excl. var. 8
Description.—Of middling or rather large size. Sheathed stem 2—3 cm. in dia-
meter. Leaf-sheaths smooth or more or less armed especlally on the ventral side
and at the base of the petioles with scattered small and short prickles, very thinly
covered, when young, with a powdery down of a light cinnamon-brown colour,
ultimately glabrous, thinly coriaceous on the dorsal and usually torn and disintegrat-
ed into a fibrous network on the ventral side. Ocree more or less covered with
a tobacco-coloured detachable scurf, unarmed, but more or less prickly on their basal
and ventral sides, exceptionally large, 20—30 cm. long, thinly membranous, non-
inflated and embracing tightly the stem, almost entire, and truncate at apex in
newly expanded leaves, split along the side and more or less marcescent, or dis-
solved. into fibres later. The leaves of very young plants have the blade un-
divided, plurieostulate, very long-spathulate-cuneate, conspicuously white or white
rubiginous on the lower surface, 50—60 cm. up to 1 m. long and 10—12 cm.
broad ; the apex rounded, and deeply toothed, and the base gradually tapering to
a moderately long spinous petiole. The intermediate leaves of vigorous plants are
large; 1—1°70 m. long in the pinniferous part, and end in a strong and long
cirrus, powerfully armed with 3-nate or 5-nate robust claws ; the petiole is flatten-
ed, 20—35 cm. long, 7—10 mm. broad, slightly concave or flat above, convex below,
armed on the margins and below with rather robust claws. Rhachis more or less
144 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. flegellaris.
rusty-furfuraceous, as is the petiole, clawed below. Leaflets numerous. 8—15 on each
side of the rhachis, broadly linear or oblanceolate-cuneate or very narrowly and
long-cuneate, irregularly truncate at apex or with a triangular acute and sharply
dentate end, conspicuously scurfy-ferrugineous below, pluricostulate-plicate, 20—30 and
at times even to 50 cm. long, and from 1 to 3 em. broad; the basal leaflets in
every leaf being often considerably narrower than the upper ones. The upper leaves
of the adult plants have shorter and more distinctly cuneate leaflets, 20—25 cm.
long, and 3—3°5 em. broad near the upper end, which is triangular and accumin-
ate and more or less deeply and sharply toothed, the teeth being subulate and nearly
pungent. The uppermost leaves, those at the base of the inflorescence, are much
reduced in length, have a short petiole, a short cirrus, and leaflets briefly cuneate, 3°5—
4 em. broad, and only 10—-15 cm. long, and are more deeply plicate than the lower ones, but
equally sharply toothed in their upper triangular end. Ansce of the lower leaves
5—10 mm. long, but in the uppermost leaves they attain 2 em. in length, and
are very slender and strongly flattened. Jnfloresence simply branched, about 60
em. long or more. Spathes tubular, closely sheathing, unarmed, the mouths truncate,
branches arched, spreading, 15—25 cm. long, bearing 4—8 spikes. The spikes have a
distinctly tomentose appearance, are thickish, 6 mm. in diameter (without the flowers)
and S—9 cm. long; spathels almost entirely immersed in the wool of the flower-
bracteoles, and protruding only with their short apices. The flowers in the
specimens examined are in too bad a condition for an exact analysis. Frudts—seen
only when very young—are shortly beaked. ,
Hasitat.—Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Billiton and Borneo. This species was
first described by Miquel from specimens collected by Diepenhorst at Priaman in
Sumatra; Malay name “ Rotan dahanan.” Of the authentic specimens one was sent
to me from the Herbarium at Utrecht, by the late Prof. Rauwenhoff (No. 2584
Herb. Bogor.). From the same source I have seen specimens in the Herbaria of
Leyden and Calcutta. It has been found in Sumatra at Palembang ( Heyne No. 19,
Herb. Becc. ex Herb. Buitenzorg. Specimen with radical entire leaves); in the
Malay Peninsula in the District of Perak (Scortechini in Herb. Becc., specimen
with very long and narrow leaflets), at Assam Kumbang plain (Wray No. 3127
specimen with very young fruits); in Johore on Mt. Austin (Ridley No. 12591—
this number was referred by Ridley to K. rubiginosa); in Billiton (Heyne No. 2 in
Herb. Bece. ex Herb. Bogor.—sterile specimen with long and narrow leaflets). In
Borneo it seems a rather common plant, in Sarawak in Mt. Mattang near Kuching
‘Bece. P. B. No. 1912 ;—this is the type of K. rubiginosa Bece.;—the specimen
belongs to a not full grown plant, and has very narrow and long leaflets);
similar to P. B. No. 1912 are the specimens collected by De Vriese also in
Borneo, which were by Miquel referred to K. angustifolia; and Heyne’s No. 2528
from Pontianak, and_Nos. E and E bis from. Bandjermain Buitenzorg Hebarium.
OBSERYATIONS.—À very fine plant, owing to its large leaves having
numerous leaflets, always conspicuously discolorous of a deep green above and
intensely rusty-furfuraceous beneath, but very variable in size and shape, from
linear to more or less cuneate, but in every case sharply toothed in their upper
margins. K. rubiginosa Becc. in undoubtedly the not yet full grown stage of
K. zippelü. - KORTHALSIA. 145
K. flagellaris Miq. The leaflets, very narrow. and long in half-grown plants,
become gradually shorter and more distinetly oblong cuneate higher up, as the
plant approaches the fruiting stage; at that time the leaves. nearer the inflores-
sence become so different from those of the lower part of stem as to appear to
belong to a different species. The inflorescence is rather large, with spreading
branches and distinctly tomentose spikes. It is apparently a rather common plant,
but has very seldom been found in a fertile condition, and ‘never with mature
fruit, probably because the canes, as is the case with other Korthalsias, are much
used by the natives, and cut down before they attain the flowering stage.
PLate 94.—Korthalsia flagellaris M/g.— Terminal part of an infloresence ; one of
the uppermost leaves of the fertile plant. From No. 3127 in the Perak Herbarium.
PLare 95.—Korthalsia flagellaris M/g.—Portion of the sheathed stem and an
entire leaf from a not yet fertile plant (on the left side of the plate). This
is the type of K. rubiginosa P. B. No. 1912 in Herb. Beccari. Another portion of
a sheathed.stem of a plant older than the preceding, dnd portion of a leaf near
the end (on the right-hand side of the plate); from No. 47 of Buitenzorg Herbarium
in Herb. Beccari.
PLate 96.—Korthalsia flagellaris Miq.—Lower part of a young plant with
primordial leaves; from P. B. No. 1912 in Herb. Beccari.
23. KonrHaLsiA ZippeLii Bl. Rumphia, ii, 171, t. 130, f. 2; Mart. Hist. Nat.
Palm. iii, 211,343; Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 76 and De Palm. Arc. Ind.
26; Walpers Ann. iii, 492; Bece. Malesia i, 87 and i, 69;
Hemsley in Voy. Challenger, Bot. i, III, 225 ; K. Sch. et Lauterbach,
Nachtr. Fl. Deut. Schutzg. (1905) 61.
Ceratolobus Zippelii BL ew 130, EY
C. plicatus Zipp. ex Bl. l. c.
Ceratolobus sp. Bece. Malesia, ii, 69 (Osserv.).
Descrirtion.—A large species. Sheathed stem 2—3 cm. in diameter. Leùf-sheaths
sparingly armed with short straight spines especially on their ventral side near the
insertion of the petiole, also very thinly covered when young with a fugacious
powdery indumentum, ultimately becoming glabrous. Ocrec tubular, 20 cm. or more
long, rather closely armed with short straight spines especially in their basal part,
which is more or less of a coriaceous structure, whereas the remainder is thinly
membranous, lacerated and soon broken up into filaments. Leaves large, one from
the intermediate part of an adult, but not yet flowering plant has a petiole 40 cm.
long, the pinniferous portion measures 1 m. in length, is prolonged into a robust
cirrus about as long, and bears 7 leaflets on each side of the rhachis; the petiole
is somewhat flattened, about 1 cm. broad, convex and smooth beneath, prickly on
the edges and occasionally also on its upper flattish surface; it is, as well as the
rhachis, covered with a very thin, whitish, fugaeious indumentum ; the rhachis
is armed with scattered single claws; the cirrus is very irregularly but closely
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
146 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA, K. zippeltt.
clawed, some of the claws being 3-nate or 5-nate and intermingled with other
single and scattered claws. Leaflets rigid-papyraceous, conspicuously discolourous, green
above, chalky white beneath, broadly cuneate-oblong or cuneate-rhomboidal, having
their upper ends triangular and sharply toothed; a few of the lower leaflets in every
leaf are more approximate and smaller and narrower than the others; the intermediate
leaflets measure 25—32 cm. in length, by 12—15 cm. in breadth, and have 12—13
equally strong main nerves; transverse veinlets not very distinct; the uppermost
leaves are much reduced in size, have short petioles and smaller leaflets than
the lower ones but equally numerous; the ansce in the lower leaves are short, but
in the upper ones are very strongly flattened or laminar, 10—15 mm. long and
have a very distinct axillary callus, with a transverse fissure, leading to an interna]
cavity. Inflorescence large, 70 cm. or more long, composed. of several robust, spread-
ing primary branches, 30—60 cm. long; spathes of the branches tubular-infundi-
buliform, short, partially covered with a tobacco-coloured detachable scurf; unarmed,
coriaceous in their lower part, but prolonged above into a membranous, dry, lacerate
limb. From inside the mouth of every primary spathe springs a shortened branchlet,
bearing radiately 5—6 spikes in the lower part of the branch, and gradually fewer
above; the branchlets are flattened, very short, not or only very slightly produced
beyond the mouth of their spathes and are provided with their own secondary
spathes. The spikes are thickish, 8—10 cm. long, 12—13 mm. broad with and
8—9 mm. without the flowers, and in this second case are of a tomentose
appearance ; spathels very broadly triangular, ciliate on the margins and with their
acute apices projecting above the wool of the flower-bracteoles. Flowers very
regularly and closely spirally arranged in 12 longitudinal series, 6 mm. long, 2:5 mm.
broad, obtusely trigonous, narrowing to a subacute apex; the calyx cyathiform,
entirely hidden by the wool of the bracteoles, deeply parted into 3 ovate, very thinly
membranous, acute lobes, which are very finely-striately veined and have hyaline
margins; the corolla is nearly 3 times as long as the calyx, deeply divided into 3
cartilaginous segments, finely striate outside; the stamens have thick and short
triangular filaments, united to the short undivided basal part of the corolla ; anthers
long-sagittate, acute; ovary ovoid, narrowing above to a conical sulcate iffe style,
reaching about half way of the anthers. rut unknown.
Hasitat.—It seems to be rather common all over New Guinea, showing a great
uniformity of characters, even in regions far apart.
It was discovered first by Zéppell at Lobo in Dutch territory, in the south of
the Island, and found again in the same region in Etna bay, by Koch (Leyden
Herbarium). I have collected it (sterile) in the N.-W. at Ramoi near the Island of
Salwatti, and in flower at Andai’ near Dorei. Exactly similar to the typical
specimens are those collected by Lauterbach in Kaiser Wilhelm’s land on the
Ramufluss (No. 2561 in Berlin Herbarium) and in British New Guinea on the
Owen Stanley's Range, by Sir W. MeGregor in 1889 (Herb. Becc.) and afterwards
by Giulianetti. è
Osservations.—It is one of the largest species, distinguishable by its leaf-
sheaths prolonged into a closely sheathing, elongate, finally lacerated ocrea : by
its large leaves having numerous, oblong-cuneate or cuneate-rhomboidal leaflets,
o
K. zippelü. KORTHALSIA. 147
white beneath, and having 12—13 equally strong main nerves; by the large.
panicle composed of some robust main branches, sheathed with short, lacerated
primary spathes whence the spikes issue radiately, borne on shortened secondary
branches, not produced beyond the mouths of the primary spathes; by the spikes
being thickish and tomentose, and by the flowers rather distinctly trigonous, but
with obtuse angles.
It seems more closely related to K. laciniosa than to any other species.
PLate 97.—Korthalsia Zippelii Bl.—Portions of the inflorescence in flower. From
a specimen collected by me at Andai.
PLATE 98.—Korthalsia Zippelii Bl.—Portion of the sheathed stem and base of a
leaf; a separate leaflet, one of the middle and largest; from the sterile specimen
collected by me at Andai (Herb. Beccari).
KoRTHALSIA ZIPPELII var. ARUENSIS Becc.
Korthalsia sp. Bece., Malesia, i, 87.
Descriprion.—Stem and leaves as in the type. Inflorescence large, having
the secondary branches not very elongate, and forming rather dense ovate
panicles, 20—25 cm. long (or at times more?); the spathes are as in the type,
and from the mouth of each issues a single spike-beariag branchlet, 5—7 cm.
long, bearing alternately and at different levels 3—6 spikes. The spikes are
also similar to those of the type. The fruit is small, 12—13 mm. long (not
taking into account the beak), and 10 mm. broad, obovoid-turbinate, attenuate at
the base, rounded or flattish on the top, and very suddenly surmounted by a
slender, almost pungent beak, 2 mm. long; the scales are in 15 longitudinal series,
the largest 3°5 mm. wide, of a yellowish straw colour, strongly convex, especially
in their posticous part, broadly grooved along the centre, the apices slightly produced,
very appressed, the margins very finely ciliate-fringed. Seed globular, 7 mm. in
diameter, its surface slightly impressed by about 6 longitudinal veins, narrowly and
deeply grooved along the raphal side; the intrusion of the integument is large and
deep; albumen homogeneous, horse-shoe shaped in longitudinal section; embryo
relatively large, lateral and central.
Hasirat.—Collected by me in May 1873 at Giabu-lengan in the Aru Islands.
OxpsERVATIONS.—In the typical K. Züppelii from the main land of New Guinea,
the main branches of the inflorescence are divided into several superposed very short
spike-bearing branchlets, which just at the level of the mouth of their respective
spathes bear radiately and almost at one level, 4—5 or fewer spikes; whereas in the
variety the spike-bearing branchlets form a dense ovate panicle, and the branch-
lets are considerably exserted from the spathes, and bear the spikes alternately and
at different levels. When better known this variety may prove to be a distinct
species. :
Pirate 98.—Korthalsia Zippeli var. aruensis Jecc.— The fruiting panicle only.
The type specimen from Giabu-lengan in Herb. Beccari. :
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
148 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. robusta.
24. KorrHatsia ROBUSTA Bl, Rumphia, ii, 70. (partly as to the leaves) t. ^ .
f. 3, and analysis 1—9 ; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 211 (9nd edit.)
t. 172 III (ic. it. e Bl); Mia. Fl. Ind. Bat, in, 76; Prodr. Fl. Sum.
255; De Palm Arc. Ind. 26; Walp. Ann. iii, 492; Bece. Malesia,
i TR.
K. hispida Becc. Malesia, n, 71—?
Description.—Apparently of middling size. Stem-leaf-sheaths, and leaves unknown
but probably much like*the corresponding parts of K. macrocarpa. The spikes are
eylindraceous, large and thick, blunt at apex, 21 cm. long in Blume’s figure; after
the fall of the corollas the spathes remain visible, and not being appressed, the
spikes assume a squarrose appearance and measure nearly 3 cm. in diameter. The
spathels are large, 12—13 mm. long, and about as broad, dry, papery, finely striate,
concave, very broadly triangular in their upper halves, which soon split longitudinally
. and appear lacerated. The floral bracteoles are slightly falcate, covered densely
at apex and on the keeled back with paleaceous, not woolly, hairs. Flowers
relatively large, 15 mm. long, protruding slightly from their respective spathes ;
the calyx, 6'5 mm. long, persistent after the fall of the corolla, oblong or obovoid,
deeply parted into 3 oblong, concave, very blunt, cartilaginous lobes; the corolla is
two and a half times as long as the calyx, clavate and rounded above when in
bud, parted down to about the middle into 3 oblong or spoon-shaped cartilaginous
obtuse strongly-striate ségments ; in its lower part it is fleshy, tubular and closely
sheathes the ovary and the style, but soon goes to decay, whereas the upper part
falls down immediately after the anthesis; the stamens are inserted about mid-
way of the corolla at its throat, where they form a thick ring or collar, crowned
by 6 thick and short teeth, but leaving a central opening for the passage of the
style; the anthers are broadly linear, auricled at the base, blunt or only very
obsoletely apiculate; the ovary is ovoid, and rather suddenly attenuate into a
rigid angular and longitudinally grooved style ending in 3 short, acute connivent
stigmas, which stop just level with the opening in the centre of the stamina
ring, not even attaining the bases of the. anthers.
Hasitat.—Blume writes that the spike, upon which the species must be consi-
dered as established, was collected by Prætorius in Palembang, in S.-E. Sumatra.
OssERvaTIONs.—A. robusta was established by Blume from mixed material,
consisting of portions of leaf-sheaths and non-cirriferous leaves (which consequently
beloged to juvenile plants) derived from Java, Sumatra and Borneo, and of the
flowering spike mentioned above. I have examined this material of Blume, and
apparently only one leaf, coming from Sumatra, belongs to K. robusta ; another leaf,
from a Javan plant, most probably belongs to K. Teysmanniü, to which also, apparently,
belongs the ocrea attributed by Blume to K. robusta. Considering the great affinit
of K. robusta with K. macrocarpa and K. squarrosa it is to be presumed it would
be provided with the peculiar kind of ocrea proper to the latter species. I think
that K. hispida Becc. from W. Sumatra, of which the flowers and fruits are
unknown and which is represented by specimens of juvenile plants only (see
K. hispida Becc, among the doubtful species‘ ir most probably to be reduced to
—
K. macrocarpa. KORTHALSIA. 148 .
K. robusta. Closely allied: to K. robusta are K. squarrosa and K. macrocarpa, especially
the latter; but K. robusta is distinguishable from both in having the style closely
enwrapped by the thickened tube of the corolla and not protruding with its
apex during the anthesis beyond the opening in the centre of the ring formed by
the connate bases of the filaments; whereas in the other two, but more especially
in K. macrocarpa, the style is .loose in the tube of the corolla, and with the
apices of the stigmas reaches to about midway of the anthers.
Pirate 99.—Korthalsia robusta Bl?—The type specimen upon which K. hispida
was established. See also in the figures 7-8 in the analytical plate IV, representing
the flower of the typical specimen of Korthalsta robusta BI.
25. KoRTHALSIA MACROCARRPA Bece. n. sp.
K. robusta (non BI.) Becc. in Winkler, Beitr. Fl. Born. in Engl. Bot. Jahrb.
48 (1912) 93. !
Descriprion.—Scandent and rather large. Sheathed stem of the flowering plant
2—2'5 cm. in diameter. Leaf sheaths armed, especially on the dorsal side, with
scattered, very slender, blackish, lustrous spicule, 5—12 mm. long, resting on a
tuberculiform base. Ocree extraordinarily long (20—40 cm.), rigid, thinly coria-
ceous or subpergamentaceous, not inflated, and having the shape of a narrow and
long horn, or of an elongated ass’s ear, gradually acuminate to an obliquely
trancate point, unclosed all along their ventral side, so as to be incompletely clasp-
ing, and covered all: over with very slender, scatttered spicule similar to those
occurring on the leaf sheaths but very often longer. Leaves large; those of the
upper part of the adult plant are cirriferous, have the petiole rather elongate (20—30
m., long 7—8 mm. broad), more or less prickly, complanate, flat above, slightly
convex beneath, and with sharp edges; the rhachis is armed beneath with scat-
tered, black-tipped claws; the leaflets are numerous, green above, white beneath,
very conspicuously ansate; the lower leaflets in every leaf are considerably longer
than broad, oblong cuneate or cuneately-rhomboidal, the blade alone being 20—25
em. long, 5—6 em. broad; the intermediate and upper leaflets are more regularly
rhomboidal than the lower, not much longer than broad (15—18 em. long, 10—12 em,
broad); all have 11—13 radiating main nerves, and the upper margip irregularly and
rather sharply erose-toothed, the teeth terminating the main nerves being very
acute and often aristate. The leaflets on the leaves from young plants are narrow
and relatively longer than those of the adult plant, and are more distinctly chalky
white underneath; their ansce are always unusually long and slender, as much as
5—6 cm. in length, and not more than 2—3 cm. in breadth; in the uppermost
much reduced leaves the anse are still longer, and more slender, and being
strongly flattened, probably cause the blade to assume a quivering motion, as is the
case with the leaves of Populus tremula. The inflorescence is apparently composed
of several approximate primary branches; one of these seen by me is 25 em.
long, is divided into 4 secondary branches, very short and approximate, each
branch bearing 2 spikes, the whole forming a very eompact, recurved panicle. The
spathes are large, have a very short tubular basilar part, and a very broad,
strongly concave embracing ovate acute or acuminate dry rigid papyraceous limb,
are cinnamon brown internally and light coloured, glabrescent, smooth or slightly
150 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. macrocarpa.
spinulous externally; the lower spathes are 15—20 cm. long; the upper gradually
smaller. The spikes are very thick and relatively short, 12—14 cm. long, blunt at
apex, very closely covered with flowers so as to conceal entirely the spathels ;
just at the time of blooming the spikes are 3—3'5 cm. in diameter, but only about
25 cm. after the fall of the corollas; it is at this period that they assume a
squarrose appearance; thé spathels are large, 1 em. long and about as broad,
dry, papery-membranous, concave, very broadly triangular in their upper halves,
acute, frequently split longitudinally, finely striate, and often shortly connate at the
base by their margins. The floral bracteoles are narrow, elongate, very slightly
faleate, striate, covered densely at apex and on the keeled back with paleaceous,
not woolly, hairs. Flowers relatively large, 15—16 mm. long, arranged in several
longitudinal series (about 15), protruding, during the anthesis, by the full length
of the corolla beyond their respective spathels; the calyx is 5'5—7 mm. long,
oblong, attenuate a little at the base, deeply parted into 3 oblong, concave, very
blunt, thinly cartilaginous lobes; the corolla is two and a half times as long as
the calyx, when in the bud and when fully developed is clavate, 5 mm. broad,
rounded on the top, parted down to about the middle into 3 oblong or spoon-
shaped, thickish, cartilaginous, very obtuse, strongly striately veined segments; it is
fleshy and marcescent in its lower tubular part; the stamens are inserted at the
throat of the corolla at the beginning of its tubular part, where the filaments are
united together, and form a ring or collar, crowned by 6 thick and short teeth;
the anthers are erect, obsoletely apiculate, broadly linear, 5 mm. long, auricled at
the base; the ovary is elongate-ovoid, and*narrows gradually above to a conspicuous
rigid style, angular, deeply grooved longitudinally and ending in 3 subulate, very
sharp, connivent stigmas, which protrude beyond the throat of the corolla and
reach to about midway of the anthers. Fruits, relatively lavge (the largest known
in the genus), obovoid-turbinate, broadest in their upper third part, and thence
gradually tapering to a rather narrow base, which is rendered more or less
obtusely angular by their mutual pressure; they are broadly conical above and
end in a slender, rigid, pungent beak; they measure 4 cm: in length, including
the beak, and 2—2°5 cm. in diameter; the scales are in 18 longitudinal series, are
glossy, slightly convex, not or only very faintly grooved along the centre. spadi-
ceous in their posticous part, with the margins and apices chestnut brown,
and the latter broad, rounded or slightly produced, lacerate-toothed, not very
appressed. The scaly epicarp on the whole is rather resistent (not brittle) and
includes a rather abundant mesocarp, spongy in the dry condition. The seed,
smaller than would be expected -from the size of the entire fruits, is 17—20
mm. long, 11—13 mm. broad, irregularly ovoid, narrowing a little above, acute
or bluntish at apex, rounded at the base, and has the surface slightly uneven;
albumen homogeneous, very hard; the integument penetrates deeply into the
middle of the albumen in the form of a very narrow lamella running along the
whole of the raphal side; embryo in the centre of the antiraphal side, relatively
large, 3 mm. long, 2 mm. broad.
HaBrrAr.—Borneo. It was collected with mature fruits in July 1908 by
‘ Dr. H. Winkler, No. 2777 between Kundim Baru and Batu Babi in the S.-E. of
K. macrocarpa. KORTHALSIA. 151
the Island, and with flowers by Heyne at Bandjermasin in the south (No. 22 bis
in Buitenzorg and Beccari Herbarium) and sterile at Pontianak in the West (Heyne
No. 2543 in Buitenzorg and Beccari Herbariua).
OBSERVATIONS.—I consider the species established upon Winkler’s fruiting speci-
men No. 2777, which is accompanied with fragments of leaves having cuneately-
rhomboid leaflets, considerably longer than broad, the largest of which are 25—30 cem.
long, 7 em. broad, the anse being 12—15 mm. long. The old flowers still remaining
on the fruiting spikes are 18—19 mm. long, the calyx alone measuring 8 mm., other
wise as described above. On Heyne's specimen No. 22 bis I have mostly based
the description of the flowers; these in one specimen (that represented in plate
100) are constantly 15 mm. long; but in one flowering branch bearing only two `
spikes (evidently, however, of the same collecting as the above) the flowers are
18 mm. long or as long as those of Winkler's fruiting specimen. I cannot attach
much importance to this discrepancy in size of the flowers as a diagnostic
character, but I suggest that it may represent, perhaps, a case of dimorphism
of the flowers for promoting cross-fertilisation, to which apparently insects are not
extraneous, as I have constantly found that all the flowers I dissected had had
the fleshy parts at the throat of the corollas destroyed by their agency. |
In Heyne's specimen No. 22 bis, the portions of the leaves, which evidently
belong to the upper part of adult plants, have rhomboidal leaflets, slightly longer than
broad and with extraordinarily long anse. In the sterile specimen from Pontianak
(Heyne No. 2543) the leaflets are cuneately-rhomboidal as in Winkler’s, but the
anse are somewhat longer than in his specimen; the unusually long and peculiar
horn-shaped cerea is very similar in all the above-mentioned specimens, and this.
seems to me the best argument for considering them all conspecific.
The spikes laden with fruits look more like those of a Zalacca than those
of a Korthalsia, and the great development of the spathels also contributes to
this resemblance.
The specific characters of K. macrocarpa are the moderately large size;
the ocree so extraordinarily long, horn-shaped, unclosed on the ventral side, and
narrowing in their upper part, armed with slender black spicule; the leaves
having leaflets green above and conspicuously mealy-white beneath, cuneately-
rhomboidal or rhomboidal, long ansate; the thick, squarrose spikes, having
large spathels and non-woolly flower bracteoles; the large flowers in which
the apex of the stigmas reaches to about midway of the anthers; the large
obovate-turbinate fruit; the seed deeply penetrated by a laminar intrusion of the
integument. : |
K. macrocarpa differs from K. squarrosa by its considerably longer horn-shaped
ocree, by the larger flowers, and by the very elongate anse; from K. robusta it
differs by the larger flowers having the apex of the stigmas considerably surpassing
the throat of the corolla. :
Puare 100.—Korthalsia macrocarpa Beec.—Ocrea entire, and the basal portion of
a leaf, from a full-grown and fertile plant; portion of the panicle composed of
3 spike-bearing branchlets; another portion with only. one spike. From Heyne's
specimen No. 22 bis of the Buitenzorg Herbarium in Herb. Beccari.
152 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. squarrosa.
PLate 101.—Korthalsia macrocarpa Bece.—Portion of the fruiting panicle ; from
Winkler’s No. 2777. Portion of a leaf from a middle-aged plant (note its extraordi-
nary long ocrea); from Heyne’s No. 22 bis in Herb. Bece.
Pirate 102.—Korthalsia macrocarpa Bece.—Sterile specimen from Heyne’s No. 2543,
collected at Pontianak (Herb. Beccari). See also in the analytical plate IV the
analyses of the flower and fruit of K. macrocarpa, figs.—6.
Latin Diaenosis.—Korthalsia macrocarpa Becc. sp. nov. Mediocris; vaginis spinis
nitidis nigrescentibus armatis, ocrea magna, elongata, superne attenuata in parte
ventrali aperta, spiculis parvis nigris armata; segmentis longe ansatis, cuneato-
rhombeis, subtus albieantibus; spicis majusculis, squarrosis, spathellis glabris ;
floribus pro rata majusculis, stigmatibus ex corolle fauce prodieuntibus et circiter
dimidiam antherarum partem attingentibus ; fructibus magnis, obovato-turbinatis, rostro
pungenti terminatis.
26. KonrHaLsiA squarrosa Becc., Notes on Philip Palms in Philip. Journ. of
- Sc. (Bot.) iv (1909) 620.
Description.—Of middling size. Sheathed stem 20—22 mm. in diameter. Leaf
sheaths armed, especially on the dorsal side, with! scattered, very slender blackish-
lustrous spicule, 5—12 mm. long, resting each on a tuberculiform base. The ocrea (in
one specimen) is 12 cm. long, not inflated, subeylindrical, narrowing very little above
(not ass-ear like), truncate at apex, not clasping completely the sheath, being un-
closed all along the ventral face, polished, chestnut-brown and dull inside, extern-
ally straw-coloured and covered all over with very slender scattered spicule, simi-
lar to those on the leaf sheaths, but very often longer; in old stems, the ocreæ
are more or less destroyed by age. Leaves of the adult flowering plant rather large
and cirriferous, about 70 cm. long in the pinniferous part; petiole 10—12 cm. long,
8—10 mm. broad, more or less prickly, complanate, flat above, slightly convex be-
neath; the margins rather sharp; the rhachis armed beneath with scattered, back-
tipped claws. Leaflets 6—7 on each side of the rhachis, green above, conspicuously
white beneath, rhomboidal (15—18 em. long, 10—12 em. wide) or cuneately rhomboi-
dal (20—25 em. long and 7—8 cm. wide), with 11—13 main radiating nerves; the
upper margins are irregularly and rather sharply erose-toothed. the teeth terminating
the main nerves being very acute and often aristate; the two lowest leaflets in
every leaf are considerably smaller than the others; the ansoe are rather short
(5—10 m. long) and strongly flattened. The inflorescence, of which only a few spikes
were preserved, is apparently very much like that of K. macrocarpa, and is com-
posed of spikes in pairs at each, secondary branch. The spikes are cylindraceous,
thick and short, with a blunt apex, 10—11 cm. long (not 20 cm. as has been
stated in the Ph. Journ. of Sc. |. e) and with the flowers 25—27 mm. in dia-
meter; after the fall of the corollas the spathels remain visible, and these not
being appressed, the spikes assume a squarrose .appearance and measure in that
condition 2 em. in diameter ; the spathels are large, 8—9 mm. long, dry, papery-
membranous, concave, broadly triangular in their upper part, acute, usually split
K. squarrosa. KORTHALSIA. 153
longitudinally along the centre, finely striate; the floral braeteoles are narrow, elon-
gate, very slightly falcate, covered densely at apex and on the keeled backs with
paleaceous, not woolly, hairs. Flowers relatively large, 13 mm. long, protruding
during the anthesis by the full length of the corolla above their respective spathels ;
the calyx is oblong, parted ‘to the middle into 3 broadly ovate, obtuse, thinly
cartilaginous lobes; the corolla is. two and a half times as long as the calyx;
when in bud fully developed.it is clavate and about 5 mm. broad, rounded on the
top and parted down to about the middle into 3 oblong or spoon-shaped, thickish
cartilaginous, very obtuse, strongly striate segments; it is fleshy in its lower
undivided part; the stamens are inserted at the throat of the corolla, where
iis tubular part begins, and where. also the filaments are united together to
form a ring or collar, crowned by 6 thick and short teeth; anthers erect, 5
mm. long, linear or linear-sagittate, apiculate, auricled at the base; the ovary |
is ovoid and narrows above gradually into a rigid style, angular and grooved
longitudinally, ending in 3 briefly subulate, connivent stigmas, which usually
protrude beyond the ring formed by the filaments of the stamens at the throat
of the corolla, and apparently reach to about midway of the anthers (the amalysis
of the flowers in the specimens at my disposal was, however, very difficult, as all
had been infested by insects, which had destroyed all the fleshy parts of th
flower, leaving only the ovary untouched). Fruit unknown.
Hasrrar.—The Philippines. In Palawan near Jwahig (Curran No. 7185-—May
1906 in the Manila and Beccari Herbaria); and in Balabac Island (Merrill No.
5384 in the Manila Herbarium).
OssERvATIONS.— lhe type specimens—Curran No. 4185 consist in a few
detached spikes and fragments of stem and leaves. In these specimens the leaf-
lets are cuneate-rhomboidal, considerably longer than broad, and tae stems have had
their ocrea destroyed by age; I consider, however, as conspecific with it the
sterile specimen collected by E. D. Merrill (No. 5384) on Balabae Island. provided
with the well conformed ocree described above, but bearing broader and more
regularly rhomboidal leaves than Curran’s No. 4185. y
A note of Merrill’s annexed to his specimen No. 5384 informs us that ants
live in the ocreæ, which, however, are not inflated, and that a quantity of rubbish:
is accumulated by the ants among the spines that cover the surfaces of the
ocreæ—
K. squarrosa is related to K. robusta Bl. of Sumatra, and to K. macrocarpa Bece
of Borneo, and forms with. these two a small group, characterized by the spikes
looking quite different from those of the great majority of Korthalsias. owing to
their large loose imbricating spathels, and also to the floral bacteoles not being
woolly.
K. squarrosa differs from K. robusta in the shorter truncate ocreæ, in the smalleg
spikes, and in the flowers having the style produced above the throat of the corolla ;
with K. macrocarpa it agrees in the flowers, but differs, as from K. robusta, in the
shorter truncate ocreæ:. i *
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
~
=»
154 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. K. grandis.
The diagnostic characters of K. squarrosa are: the. subeylindrical. not entirely
clasping, truncate ocres (not ass-ear like); leaflets cuneately rhomboidal or rhom-
boidal, green above, white beneath; the anse rather short (5—10 mm. long) ;
the spikes thick and squarrose ; the spathels large, loosely imbricating; the floral
bracteoles covered with paleaceous, not woolly, hairs; the flowers, 13 mm. long
having the style produced beyond the throat of the corolla.
Pirate 103.—Korthalsia squarrosa Bece.—Small portion of the sheathed stem with
an almost entire leaf and the entire ocrea (from Mernill’s No. 5384); spikes still
keeping some of their flowers, from Curran’s No. 4185.
DouBrruLL, INPERFECTLY Known or UNRECOGNIZED SPECIES.
KORTHALSIA GRANDIS Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 217.
Description.—A specimen of K. grandis Ridley, presented to me by Mr. Ridley
himself, has the sheathed stem 5 cm. in diameter, the ocrea 13 em. long, truncate,
rigid Pergamentaceous, partially disintegrated into fibres above and on the ventral
side, armed with few, but large, short, flattened spines; the leaves are exactly alike
the intermediate ones of the adult plant of A. Teysmannii and the leaflets are
also of the same size, form, and colour. . Ridley states that the spadiz has long
and thick tomentose spikes, with the wool nearly as long as the bracts (and in
this also it agrees with K. Teysmannü), but the fruit is not described ; we there-
fore lack the most important and reliable character wherewith to Hifi ontinto K.
grandis from K. laciniosa as well as from K. Teysmanni- and K. ferox. Consider
ing, however, that several of the palms growing in Singapore are identical with
those of east Sumatra, the home of K. Teysmannù, the conspecificity of K. grandis
with that palm appears probable. .
Hasrrar. Singapore at Selitar and Bukit Mandai (Ridley)
Prate 88.—Korthalsia grandis Ridley.—Mr. Ridley’s specimen in Herb. Beccari.
KorrHaLsia MacHaponIs Ridley, Mat., Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 216.
Of this very inperfectly known Korthalsia Ridley writes: “Stem slender, ochrea
cylindric, 14 inch long, thorny; petiole a foot long, very thorny, with short thorns
crowded, white, with a scurfy meal when young; leaflets alternate, remote, 12,
the two lowest smallest, the terminal ones connate broad, the others cuneate,
rhomboid bidentate with a long point, 6 inches long, and 3 inches wide, no petiole ”
(ansa ?—Beco.) "
"Perak: Kamuning (Mackado).—A young plant sent by Mr. Machado. It is very
different from K. scaphigera.
This may be an early stage of K. feror var. malayana Boos.
KonTHALsIA HISPIDA Becc. Malesia, il, 72.
Description. —Sheathed stem 10—12 mm. in diameter. Leaf-sheaths armed, es-
pecially on the dorsal side, with short back spines. Ocrea 20—22 em. long, dry.
papyraceous, in the shape of a very narrow and long horn, gradually narrowing
K. rostrata. KORTHALSIA. 155
above to a bilobed apex, not inflated, unclosed all along the ventral side, except
in a short basal closely sheathing part, glossy and of a chestnut colour inside,
covered externally with extremely minute hair-like spinules, and armed also witb
scattered, black, unequal spicule, 2—3 cm. long, or shorter. The leaves have a slender
and not long cirrus; the petiole is 17—18 cm. long, 4 mm. broad, flat above.
convex, and slightly clawed beneath, the pinniferous part is about 50 cm. long.
Leaflets 4 on each side of the rhachis, green above, white beneath, elongate or
cuneately-rhomboidal, 16—20 cm, long, 6—7 em. broad (the 2 lowest narrower), very
acuminate ; the margins sharply erose-toothed ; the ansce short, 2—5 mm. long.
Hasirat.—West Sumatra at Ayer Mantjor in the Prov. of Padang, at 360 m,
above sea level (Bece. P. S., No. 673 sterile.)
OnsERVATIONS.— Very probably it represents the juvenile stage of K. robusta Bl.—
See observations on that species, and Plate 99
A à
KortHaLsia ROSTRATA Bl. Rumphia ii, 168; Mart. Hist, Nat. Palm. ii, 211;
Mig. Fl. Ind. Bat in, 75, De Palm. Arc. Ind. 26; Walp. Ann. iii, 492; Doto.
Malesia, ii, 76.
This is Ceratolobus rostratus Beec.—See observations under that species.
KORTHALSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA Æ gracilis Miq. De Palm. Arc. Ind. p. 16.
I have identified this with X. echinometra Becc.—See observations under that
species.
KoRTHALSIA ANGUSTA. 8 ex. Kurz Enum. /Burm. Palms in Journ. As. Soc.
Beng. N. xliii, p. II, 1874, p. 207 is evidently a misprint for K. angustifolia BI.
KOoRTHALSIA LACINIATA.—[n Miq. Fl. Ind., Bat. ili, 77, is a misprint for K. lacini-
osa Mart.
KomrHALSIA. sp. Vial No. 4066, from Sorsogon in Luzon.—See Beccari in
Philipp. Journ. of Se. (Bot.)iv, (1909), 621
The speeimen in my Herbarium consists only of the intermediate portion of a
leaf having large rhomboidal leaflets, white beneath and with flattened rather short
‘anse, resembling on the whole those of K. squarrosa Bece.
KortHaLsia FrLABELLUM Miq. ex kerch. Palmiers, p. 59=Licuala Flabellum
Mart. ;
KorTHALSIA CELEBICA Miq. ex. Kerch. Palmiers, p. 59=Licuala celebica Miq.
KOoRTHALSIA PENDULIFLORA Miq. ex Kerch Palmiers, p. 59=Licewala penduliflora.
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, Xue XII.
^
156 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
j i Metroxylon Rottb.
Rottb. in Nye Sam. Dansk. Videns. Selsk. Skrift. i 525, t. 1; Mart. Hist.
Nat. Palm. iii, 213, 343 (excl. Sect. Pigafetta) t. 102, 159; Kunth Enum. Pl. ii,
213 (excl. sp.); Griff. Palm. Brit. Ind. 21, t. 181; Miquel Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 139
(excl. Sect. 2); Becc. Malesia, i, 91 and in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. m, 29;
Benth. et Hook. Gen. PI. iii, 935; Hook. f. in Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 481; Drude in
Engl. et Prantt, Pflanzenf. 1, 47 (with Coelococcus as a Subgenus).
Sagus Dl. Rumphia, il, 146 (excl. Sect.) ti. 86, 126, 127; Turpin Dict. Sc. Nat.
(Botanique) t. 32, 33.
Coelococcus H. Wendl. in Bonpl. 1862, 199; "Warburg in Bericht Deut. Bot.
Gesell. xiv (1896), 140 t. X; Heim. in Bull. Agr. CoL. Soc. Frane: de Colonies
(extract) 1902, f. 1—5.
Arborescent, moncecious, more or less spinous palms, having a columnar trunk, and
large pinnate leaves. Leaves having a large broadened basilar part, clasping but not
completely sheathing the trunk, spinous or smooth; petiole robust, channeled above
spinous or smooth. Leaflets numerous, ensiform, straight, acuminate, having a mid-costa
prominent spinulous or nearly smooth on the upper surface, and several secondary
nerves ; the margins acute, spinulous or nearly smooth. Inflorescence very large, terminal,
arising from the centre of the leaf crown, usually composed of several main branches
issuing from the axillas of the uppermost much reduced leaves; the primary branches
are sheathed by spathes, tubular in their lower part, unclosed above; the secondary
branches bear, alternately and distichally, the spikes, and are also provided with
tubular spathes. Spikes amentiform, cylindrical, bearing moncecious flowers in pairs,
spirally arranged in the axillas of broad membranous very approximate bracts or
spathels, which are more or less connate; every pair of flowers is provided with
its special bracteoles, usually densely villose or reduced to tufts of hairs. The
flowers of every pair are collateral, and externally quite the same; one of each
pair is, however, male and the other hermaphrodite in appearance, but physiologically
only female; both kinds of flowers are symmetrical and thinly coriaceous, have the
calyx eyathiform campanulate, and more or less deeply 3-lobed ; the corolla longer
than the calyx, and more or less deeply parted into 3 valvate segments, but always
undivided and campanulate or urceolate in its basal part. The male flowers open
before the female and have the filaments connate and adnate to the” undivided
part of the corolla, the free part of the filaments is elongate and briefly inflected
at apex; anthers elongate, dorsifixed, versatile, with parallel cells opening longitudi-
nally and laterally ; rudimentary ovary very small, represented by 3 very. small
papilliform bodies. Female or pseudo-hermaphrodite flowers opening after the fall of
all the male ones; calyx corolla and stamens are exactly as in the male flowers ;
ovary ovoid or turbinate, narrowing above into a thick acuminate style, vullesalor,
but showing on the walls of the cell the rudiments of the dissepiments of three
cells ; stigmas small, acute, connivent ; ovules 3, basilar, erect, anatropous. Fruit
globose or turbinate, covered with imbricating scales; mesocarp suberose or spongy ;
endocarp very thin pellieular. Seed solitary, globose, erect in the cavity; has the
hilum basal, orbieular or elliptical; is enveloped with an integument more or less
developed and at times abundant and fleshy, penetrating deeply above in correspondence
METROXYLON. i 157
to the chalaza, into the substance of the albuman, which presents in that
place a deep suborbieular cavity; the surface of the seed, divested of the integu-
ment, is even, and not pitted; the albumen is homogenous, bony, and, in a vertical
section through the embryo, horse-shoe shaped ; embryo basal.
Metroxylon is a very natural genus, not allied to any other, and well characterized
by its arboreous habit, by the terminal definite inflorescence, and by the flowers in
pairs, moncecious, externally similar, and densely arranged in cylindrical spikes. Its
nearest ally may be considered to be the calamoid genus Korthalsía, which has
also the flowers similarly approximate in spikes, but solitary, and really hermaphro-
dite, at the axilla of every spathel or bract; whereas in Metroxylon the flowers,
although similarly placed, are ‘in pairs and coliateral. one of each being a male
and the other a female or seeming hermaphrodite. With Pigafetta, Metroxylon
has in common only the arborescent habit, for the first is a dioecious plant, with
flowers quite different in the two sexes, and, on the whole, widely different from
those of Metroxylon.
H. Wendland in the erroneous belief what Metroxylon had a i provided
with ruminate albumen, a belief caused by the false representation of the seed of
Sagus genuina Labill in Turpin’s “ Dictionnaire des Sciences naturelles, Botanique ”
proposed the genus Coelococcus for Sagus vitiensis, which has indeed a seed with
homogeneous albumen, excavate in its upper part, but which in no way differs from
that of the typical Metroxylons. There-is therefore no reason for keeping Colococcus
distinct as a genus from Metroxylon. (About the rumination of the seed of
Metroxylon, see my observations under M. Rumphi var. buruensis).
The fruit of Metroxylon contains normally only one seed; once, however, I found
2 seeds in M. squarrosum var. Kilkarua.
The two best known species of Metroxylon, M. Rumphii and M. Sagus, which
indeed are barely distinet as species, present numerous varieties growing wild, but
more frequently eultivated, in the Moluecas, and especially in Amboina and in Ceram.
At my request, prineipally with the intention of obtaining a precise identification of
the varieties of Sagus described. by Rumphius, the authorities of the Botanic
Garden of Buitenzorg have most kindly procured me specimens of numerous varie-
ties of Sago palms growing in the Moluccas, aud specially in Ceram: Notwithstanding
this valuable help, I have not succeeded in identifying with certainty all the
varieties mentioned in the ‘ Herbarium Amboinese,” or in giving precise characters
for the new ones; such diffieulty, however, is always encountered with species that
have been long in cultivation, and have produced numerous varieties.
* Ihave made an accurate study of the different species of Metroxylon, and espe-
cially of M. Rumphi, and have consequently been able to give a description more
complete of that important genus than any yet published, and to make corrections
of several gross errors, which have been traditionally transmitted from one author
to another; such correctigns more especially are that Metrozylon has a seed with
homogeneous, and not ruminate albumen; that the flowers are not polygamous, nor
hermaphrodite, but moncecious and proterandrous on the same spike, viz., that the
female flowers are apt to be impollinated after all the male flowers have disappeared,
and finally, as I have already demonstrated above. that there is no reason to consider
Ceelococeus as distinct from Metroxylon.
158 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Metroxylon.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE METROXYLON MENTIONED IN THE '* HERBARIUM AMBOINENSE.”
In regard to the identification of the forms of Sago palm described by Rum-
phius, it is necessary to bear in mind that we must not attribute an absolute value
to the indigenous names by which in Rumph's work the different varieties are dis-
tinguished, as not only may these names vary -from one locality to another, but also
according to the person giving the information. Nevertheless I think the identifica-
tion of Sagus genuina with M. Rumphi ; of Sagus levis with M. leve; and of
Sagus duri rottang with M. Rumphi, var. micracanthum, is assured.
Sagus sylvestris is to all appearance a simple variety of M. Rumphi, less altered
by culture than the latter. | ;
The identification of Sagus longispina (M. longispinum Mart.) to which Rumph
applies the native name * Lapia Macanaru, and which is said to produce a fruit as
big as a hen’s egg, is not certain, because a form with the name of " Sagu Maca-
naro," was sent to me with small fruits, similar to those of M. Rumphi var. micra-
canthum; nevertheless, I consider Sagus longispina as only a variety of M. Pumphi,
producing fruits larger than usual, but got much larger than those represented in my
plate 105. ;
RUMPH'S VARIETIES OF SAGUS.
1. Sagus genuina—Native name “ Lapia Tuni” = Metroxylon Rumphii.*
7
» Silvestris—Native names“ Lapia Ihur" and “Ihul” = Jf Rumphit
var. sylvestre.T
3. » longispina—Native names “ Lapia Macanaru," ‘“Macanalo” or *'Macala-
num " — M. Rumphii var. longispinum Bece. (M. longispinum Mart.)f
4. a levis—Native name—“ Lapia molat” = M. Sagus.$ |
5. 4 duri rottang—Native name—* Lapia Luli—uwe” = M. Rumphii var
micracanthum. ||
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
The more common and better known species of Sago Palms, Metroxylon Rumphii
and M. Sagus, and their numerous varieties, are littoral plants, growing in low-lying
and swampy places, and planted for the sake of the large amount of starch obtainable
from their trunks. The above-mentioned species, easily reproduced by off-shoots, are
spread out and more or less intensely cultivated from the Malay Peninsula to the
Philippines, in the Malay Islands, in the Moluccas, in New-Guinea and in the Aru
Islands, wherever suitable conditions of soil for their development exist, as they afford
one of the most important articles of food to many native populations. The place of
origin, however, of the two above-mentioned species is most probably to be looked for
in the Moluccas, and especially in Ceram, where, besides the usual forms of Metroxylon
with numerous varieties, common especially on its western and southern shores, there
grows in abundance, at its eastern end, a distinct, and hitherto undescribed species
(M. squarrosum). .
ir "
© With the name of “Sagu Tuni” I have received fruits of M. Rumphii VAR. micracanthum.
T The fruits received with the name of ‘‘Sagu Ihor" really agree with Rumph's plant.
i With the name of “ Sagu Makanaru " I have received the sub-variety Makanaro of M. Rumphii var. micracanthum,
$ The fruits received with the name of ^ Sagu Malat" or " Molat" agree with those of Rumph's Sagus levis..
only are a little smaller. È
ll Received with the name of “ Sagu Tuni.”
Metroxylon. METROXYLON. 159
Forms of Metroxylon to be considered as varieties, or sub-species, of M. Rumphit
and of M. Sagus are. M. Sagus var. gogolensis, and M. Sagus var. Peckelianum ; these
take the place of the Matera varieties in Kaiser Wilhelm Land on the North Coast
of New-Guinea.
One fruit of Metroxylon referable also to a variety of M. Rumphii, or of M. Sagus,
was collected by L. M. D'Albertis on the Fly River, in the south part of New-Guinea,
demonstrating that the genus Metroxylon is represented in the littoral regions of the
two opposite extreme ends of the great island.
Not all the species of Metroxylon flourish in low swampy land near the sea:
shores, as several thrive best inland on the hill slopes, and in dry situations ; these
are mainly species referable to the section Celococcus, and inhabitants of the Poly-
nesian Islands, where they represent one of the most remarkable elements of their
flora; in this, category are M. vitiense in Fiji; M. salomonense in the Salomon Islands,
and M. Amicarum in the Carolinas.
I do not know the distribution limits of M. Warburgii, a native of the New
Hebrides, nor of JA upoluense of Samoa. `
M. bougainvillense appears from a photograph taken by Dr. cai io be a
plant of the strand Flora in Bougainville Island: On the main land of German New
Guinea and in the neighbouring New Ireland there also grows a CDI DEED appa-
rently not differing from M. salomonense.
In Ceram several varieties of Metroxylon are (oforalito to M. Rumphit and
M. Kagus, frequently cultivated, or semi-wild, in its West and Central parts, while in
the Eastern end the new species M. squarrosum, mentioned above, abounds. The
natives distinguish the following varieties of this last species :—Kilwoi—Killasi—
Kikaruwa—Kilatan—Kilkow—K iltafook—kK ilkikir.
The varieties from the central and southern coasts of Ceram (Amabai) are—
1. Sagu Malat = M. Sagus var. Malat.
2. » merah = M. Rumphii var. ceramense rubrum.
S. 4 DES uw M: i VAR. album.
4. „ hitam = M. i VAR. nigrum. is
5 5o Ceram = M. A VAR. AE
| Of each of these varieties I have received from Buitenzorg only one fruit
and one leaflet, which is too little for a sure identification. The “Sagu Maiat" is
without spines, and accordingly is referable apparently to M. Sagus ; the other 4
are indicated as being spinous, and have large leaflets, and fruits smaller than those
of M. Rumphii (type), but larger than those of M. Rumphi var. micracanthum.
From the West end of Ceram are—
1. Sagu Molat = M. Sagus var. molat.
X 57 Ihor = M. Rumphit var. sylvestre. |
pH 2 Rota - M is VAR. Rotang sus-var. Makanaro.
4, , Makanaro = AM. 5 VAR. micracanthum.
5. 4c MI zc M. ” VAR. micracanthum.
6. da
puttih = M. È VAR. ceramense album.
160 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. CALCUTTA. Metroxylon.
The “Sagu molat" is without spines, and corresponds to that bearing nearly
the same name (malat) from Amahai; all the others are referable to M. Rumphii ;
of these “Sagu Tuni” (var. micracanthum) differs from the type more than the
others, by its very small fruits, but “Sagu Makanaro" (which I have also reduced
to var. micracanthum) forms a transition to the varieties with larger fruits. The
“Sagu puttih” of West Ceram slightly differs from the “ Sagu puttih " of Amahai.
METROXYLON.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A.—EuMETROXYLON.—Fruii clothed with scales in 18 vertical series.
I—Spikes of tomentose appearance. having the pedicellar part convex on the
outer side, and flat on the axial side, and its margins sharp and
densely woolly at the base.
4
* Leaf-sheaths, petiole and spathes, primary and secondary, without spines.
Fruit globular-depressed, broader than high, 4 cm. across, 30—34 mm. high,
upper and lower surfaces slightly concave.
I. M. Sagus Rottb. (forma typica).—Malay Isl.,
etc.
Fruit globular, rounded above, excavate at the base smaller than in forma
typica (28 mm. in diam.).
fa. M. Sagus var. Molat Becc—Ceram.
Fruit small, globular. slightly longer than broad, 20—23 mm. long, 20—22
mm. broad; Scales having discoloured margins noi quite } mm. wide.
1b. M. Sagus vark. Peekelianum Becc.
. --German New-Guinea.
Fruit very small, spherical, 16—18 mm. in diam., scales having relatively
large discoloured margins (nearly 1 mm...
Ic. M. Sagus x. gogolense Becc.—
German New-Guinea.
** Leaf-sheaths petioles and primary spathes spinous (secondary spathes
at times smooth ?).
Fruit relatively large, globular, slightly longer than broad, 4°5 cm.. across ;
petioles strongly spinous, mid-costa of the leaflets slightly spinulous.
2. M. Rumphii Mart. (forma typica)—Malay
: Islands.
Fruit slightly smaller than in 2; petiole armed with shorter spines.
2a. M. Rumphii :::. Rotang Becc.—West
Ceram.
Metroxylon. METROXYLON. 161
Fruit larger than in 2; petiole armed with few and very long spines.
2h. M. Rumphii var. longispinum Becc.
Amboina.
Fruit globular-depressed, smaller than in type, 30—35 mm. high, 35—38
mm. across; leaflets with long bristles on the mid-costa (always ?).
2c. M. Rumphii var. sylvestre Becc.—
West Ceram.
Fruit of middling size, globular or oblong (not depressed), smaller than
that of M. Sagus, and larger than that. of var. micracanthum.
Leaflets large and broad.
2d. M. Rumphii vark. ceramense Decc.—
T Ceram.
Fruit ovoid-oblong (always ?) 37 mm. long, 26 mm. high. Leaflets very
large 12 cm. and over wide.
. 2d. M. Rumphii xxx. ceramense sub-
var. platyphyllum.—Awabai (Ceram).
Fruit oblong, 3 cm. long, 22 mm. broad.
2d'. M. Rumphii var. ceramense sub-
var. rubrum Becc.—Amahai (Ceram).
Fruit globular, rounded above, the base excavate, 32 mm. in diam.
20". M. Rumphii vark. ceramense sub-
van. album Becc.—Amahai (Ceram).
Fruit globular, rounded above, slightly smaller than in d”, 3 cm. in diam..
2d" M. Rumphii va. ceramense,
SUBVAR. Miggrum.,—Becc.—Amahai (Ceram).
Fruit very small, globular or very slightly obovoid, not depressed above.
acutely beaked; pericarp-thin above, thick an@ spongy at the base.
2e M. Rumphii ~var. micracanthum—
Becc.—Ceram.
Fruit 23 mm. in diam.
2e M. Rumphii ~var micracanthum
SUBVAR. Tuni.—West Ceram. i
Fruit 27—28 mm. in diam. foi
2e M. Rumphii var micracanthum
supvar. Makanaro.—West Ceram.
Fruit very small, spherical, 18—20 mm. in diam. (not certain if the secondary
spathes are spinous or smooth).
2f. M. Rumphii vax. buruens Becc. Buru.
ANN, Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
162 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Metroxylon.
Fruit rather large, flat and broad above, slightly attenuate at the base,
4 cm. long, 33 mm. through.
2g. M. Rumphii var. fiyriverense Becc—
New Guinea, Fly River.
II. Spikes of glabrous and squarrose appearance and having the pedicellar
part flattened, and with obtuse quite glabrous margins.
3. M. squarrosum Bocc—-Fast Ceram.*
B—CoELococcus.— Fruit, clothed with scales in 24—29 vertical series.
* Fruit more or less attenuate to the base, obpyriform or turbinate; the
seed placed in its upper and broader part, the lower and narrower
part being spongy inside.
Fruit 10—12 cm. long, 7—9 em. across in its upper part. Scales in 24 vertical
series. Leaflets glaucous beneath.
4. M. Warburgii Heim.—New Hebrides.
Fruit very small, obpyriform, attenuate to a narrow base, 33 mm. long, 25
mm. broad in its upper part. Scales in 24 vertical series.
5. M. upoluense Becc—Upolu in Samoa.
** Fruit globular or ovoid.
Fruit round at the base, and broadly conical above, 5°5—6°5 cm. long
45—7 cm. broad.
6. M. vitliense Benth. et Hook.—Fiji Islands.
*** Fruit globose or more or less depressed.
f Fruit very large, 8 cm. in diam. anl more, flattish on the top, and not
excavate at the base; having short bluntish tips.
7. M. amicarum Becc—Caroline Islands.
(a) Flowers 8—8°5 mm. long, 3:5—4 mm. broad. Fruit slightly broader
than high, 8—9 cm. in diam.
M. amicarum-——; ^. commune Becc.
(b) Flowers 12 mm. long, 5—6 mm. broad. Fruit 11—13 em. in diam.
M. amicarum var. Maius Bece.
-
Referable to this species are the varieties received from Buitenzorg with the following native
name and notes:
a. Kilwoi.—No spines; petioles intensely green.
b. Killasi.—No spines; petioles of a gray colour.
€. Kilkarua.—From base to top (the trunk? leaf-bases ?) covered with long and thick spines. The
petioles intensely green.
d. Kilatan o Kilatankirkie.—Spines short and thick, petioles long.
Kilkour.—Frow base to top (the trunk ?—leaf-bases ?) covered with moderately large spines
Trunk and branches (petioles ?) white.
f. Kiltafuk.—VFrom base to top (the trunk ?—léaf-bases ?) coveréde with slender and moderately long
spines ; petioles gree
g- Kilkikir,—The
trunk (leaf-bases ?) without spines; the . petioles covered with dense tufts of
short spines.
Metroxylon. METROXYLON. oo SOS
Figs.
Figs.
Figs.
tt Fruit 7 cm. in diam. or thereabouts, globular-depressed, not excavate
at the base; seed 4 cem. in diam.; pericarp 5—6 mm. thick; scales
with produced acute tips.
8. M. salomonense Becc—Solomon Islands
German New-Guinea and New Britain. !
ttt Fruit 5:5 cm. in diam.; globular-depressed; the base excavate; pericarp
10—12 mm. thick; scales with produced acute tips; seed 2°5 em. in
diam.
9. M. bougainvillense Becc—Bougainville E
Island.
DESCRIPTION or PLATE V.
1—7. Metroxylon amicarum commune Becc.—Fig. 1. Full grown flower bud.—
Fig. 2. Female (hermaphrodite) flower during the anthesis.—Fig. 3. Female
(hermaphrodite) flower from which one of its divisions has been cut off showing
the ovary entire and in sétu.—Fig. 4. Longitudinal section of a male flower.—
Fig. 5. Spathel showing its lower surface, and shielding one pair of flowers
(d and ?)—Fig. 6. Spathel showing its upper side (a, a) and the floral brac-
teoles above it united (5, 3) and furnished, right and left, with a falcate
tuft of paleaceous hairs, their respective flowers having been removed. All
figures enlarged 7 diameters.—Fig. 7. Diagram of a spathel with the rela-
tive flowers and bracteoles.
8—12. Metroxylon Warburgii Bece.—Figs. 8—9. Female (hermaphrodite) flower
buds, enlarged 4 diameters.—Fig. 10. Female flower bud cut open longitudi-
nally, showing the ovary entire, and im s?tu.—Fig. 11. Another female flower
bud eut open longitudinally. the ovary having been removed. (Figs. 10—11
enlarged 7 diameter.—Fig. 12. Diagram of a spathel with its relative flowers,
and bracteoles.
Descriprion oF Pirate VITA.
1—8. Metroxylon Rumphii Mart.—Fig. 1. Transverse section (semi-schematic)
of a spike showing the spathels united by their margins, and the insertion òf
the two flowers (d and ?) for which purpose their woolly bracteoles have been
removed.—Figs. 2—3. Flower buds.—Fig. 4. Female flower bud cut open,
having one of the divisions of the corolla removed to show the ovary entire
in situ.—Fig. 5. Male flower bud of which two of the divisions of the corolla
have been removed, showing the androecium entire. —Fig. 6. Male flower
bud eut open, having one-third of the corolla remo: ed and showing at its
base the rudiments of the ovary.—Fig. 7. Longitudinal section of a growing
ovary.—Fig. 8. Diagram of the spathel with the relative flowers and bracteoles.
(Figs. 1—3 enlarged 5 diam.; figs. 4—7 enlarged 7 diam.)
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
164 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. M. sagus.
Figs. 9—11. Metroxylon Sagus Zottb.—Fig. 9. Vertical section of a seed normally
evolute.—Fig. 10. Vertical section of a seed in which the embryo passes
through the entire wall of the albumen into the chalazal cavity.—Fig. 11.
Vertical section of a seed having the albumen completely perforated by the
intrusions of the integument. All figures of natural size.
Figs. 12—14. Metroxylon squarrosum Bece.—Figs. 12—18. Two flower buds, en-
larged 7 diameters.—Fig. 14. Vertical section of a seed (nat. size).
Fig. 15. Metroxylon Rumphii var. buruense Zecc.— Vertical section of a seed from
one of the fruits of Sagus genuina collected by Labillardiere in Buru, after it
had been softened by boiling (Nat. size). /
Fig. 16. Metroxylon salomonense Jecc.— Vertical section of a seed, from Rechinger’s
collections in New-Guinea (nat. size).
Fig. 17. Metroxylon bougainvillense ZBece.—Vertical section of a seed. from an
immature fruit after. it had been softened by boiling. From Rechinger's
collections in Bougainville Island.
DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES,
1. MertRroxyLon Sacus Rottbél in Wi Saml. K. Danske} Vidensk. Schrift. ii,
527, t. 1; Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. ñi, 147; Bece. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital.
ii, 29 and in Denkschriften ni K. sd. d. Wissenseh. math. naturw.
Kl. Wien, Ixxxiv, (1913) 62, f. 6; Hook. f. Fl. Brit Ind. vi, 481.
M. inerme Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 215. :
M. laeve Mart. l. c. 214. .
M. hermaphroditum Hassk. in Tijdschr. Nat. Geschied. ix, 175 and Cat.
Bogor. 65.
| Sagus levis Rumph. Herb. Amb. i, 76; Blume Rumphia, ii, 147, t. 86, 126,
127 (Sagus Rumphii); Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, and 20, Palms
Brit. Ind. 24 (not. t. CLX&XXII).
Sagus Koenig Griff. I. c. 22 t. CLXXXI.
Sagus inermis Roxb. Fl. Ind. iu, 623.
Sagus genuina è levis Giseke, Prol. in Ord. Nat 94.
_Description.—(Forma typica)—Not differing in general aspect from M. Rumphit
. hereafter described, but with leaves (leaf sheaths, petiole and rhachis) and spathes, pri-
mary and secondary not spinous. Leaflets linear-ensiform, the mesials and largest of
the full grown plants, 1'5 m. long, and 8 em. wide or thereabouts, very gradually
acuminate above to a slender and at times filiferous tip; the mid-costa very strong,
acute and smooth on the upper surface or only very slightly spinulous near the apex,
underneath furnished with a continuous line of chatfy scales; the margins smooth or
with a few rudimentary spinules ; the upper leaflets gradually curtailed, less acumi-
nate, and with rigid tips (apparently only the lower leaflets have the apex filiferous).
Spadices exactly. as in M.. Rumphi, but having all the spathels (primary and
secondary) quite spineless. Spikes 10—13 cm. long, and 12—13 mm. in diameter
(when the flowers have fallen), or a little more slender than those of M. Rumphi ;
when old, and without flowers the spikes are of a less tomentose appearance,
having the spathels a little more produced beyond the villosity of the floral brac-
teoles than in M. Rumphii. Male and female full grown flower buds 6—7 mm. long,
M. saqus. METROXYLON. 165
L]
obovoid-oblong, slightly narrowing above, but obtuse at apex; the calyx tapers
below to a marrow base, is 3-lobed, the lobes broad rounded at apex, and finely
striately-veined externally; in the female flower the calyx later splits into 3 parts ;
on the whole both kinds of flowers are very much like those of M. Rumphit, but
have, perhaps, the calyx less deeply 3-lobed, and more distinctly striately-veined.
The fruit is globular, slightly depressed, looks’ like a small wild apple, is always
somewhat broader than high, 4 em. in diameter, and 30—34 mm. high, has the
upper and lower face equally and slightly concave, but the lower umbilicate and
the upper acutely mucronate; the pericarp is of an average thickness of 6 mm,
in the fresh fruit, having the mesocarp spongy and succulent, but reduced uniformly
all round, even at the base, to 3 mm. in the dry state; the endocarp is very
thinly membranous; on the walls of the smooth endocarpal cavity are plainly
visible the traces of the 3 rudimentary dissepiments and exactly at the bottom of
the cavity are the remains of two abortive ovules, as always only one ovule is
developed into seed. The seed completely, fills the cavity, and has the form of the
entire fruit, is globular-lepressed, and when fresh is 28—30 mm. in diameter; it 1s
attached to the bottom of the cavity by means of a eircular hilum of the diameter
of about 6 mm.; in the fresh fruit the seed is enveloped in a thick fleshy integu-
mentum, adherent to the nucleus, and having the outer surface shiny and slightly
marked by the impression of the irregularity of the internal cavity of the pericarp ;
the integument penetrates into a large orbicular cavity corresponding to the
chalaza in the upper part of the nucleus. In the dry fruit the integument is
thickly crustaceous and brittle; the nucleus is entirely formed by the albumen
90—94 mm. in diameter, has the chalazal cavity 7—8 mm. in diameter, and is
rounded below; the albumen is white, bony, and in a vertical section through the
embryo is horse-shoe shaped, with the sides 6—7 mm. thick; the embryo is basal,
at times slightly remote from the hilum, and traverses almost the entire base of
the albumen. The scales are in 18 vertical series, rhomboidal, the mesials 12 mm.
broad. shiny and straw-coloured when dry, slightly darker near the margins, some-
what convex, deeply grooved along the centre; the apices triangular, slightly
produced, bluntish or subacute; the margins very narrowly discoloured or scarious
and finely erosely-toothed.
In some fruits (received from the Botanie Garden of Buitenzorg) the seed is
completely perforated by the intrusion of ihe integument, or in other words the
orbicular upper chalazal cavity is connected with the lower surface of the seed, in
proximity to the embryo, by a channel filled with the same substance as exists
in the upper cavity, exactly as occurs in the seed of the species of Thrinax of
the sectio Porothrinax. Further I have observed in. certain seeds some slight,
peripherieal intrusion of the integument into the substance of the albumen. denot-
ing a commencement of rumination. | ì
Harrar.—It is cultivated like M. Rumphii, and in some countries even more
than that species, especially in the entire group of the Moluceas and in Borneo.
In Borneo it is very extensively cultivated in Sarawak at the mouths of the
Rivers Oja, Muka, Bintulu, Kalaka, etc. I have seen specimens of it from Sumatra
(Padang— Beccari) from Java, from the Malay Peninsula, and from the Philippines
; LÍ
166 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. M. saqus.
(Loher in Kew Herbarium). I have not met with it in Dutch New-Guinea. It is
also cultivated in Malacca ( Griff.)
OssERVATIONS.—The species is easily distinguishable from M. Rumphii by its
non-spinous leaves and spathes; the secondary spathes or spathes of the spike-
bearing branches are also smooth and not covered with small spines, as is the case
in M. Rumphi. The most characteristic forms of M. Sagus are also distinguish-
able from M. Rumphit by their fruits globular depressed or broader than high;
the spikes also are more slender, have a less tomentose appearance, for the spathels
project more than in M. Rumphii above the villosity of the flower bracteoles ; the
flowers have the calyx less deaply 3-lobed, and more distinctly striately-veined.
On the whole, however, it is a species very closely related to M. Rumphé, and I
am not sure that all the differences I have mentioned are always to be considered
as reliable diagnostic characters, the absence of spines on leaves and spathes
excepted; even the spinescence is probably a character of little diagnostic value,
as it often happens in other Palms, in Calamus for instance, that some specimens
identical in all the reproluctive organs, have the leaf-sheaths sometimes densely
covered with spines and at other times smooth; further Metroxylon squarrosum
oceurs with both spinescent and smooth leaves, all the other characters being the
same. |
M. Sagus yields the flour or Farina of Sago, and the well-known granulated
starch exactly as M. Rumphu, and like that affords numerous other commodities to
the natives. |
M. Sagus certainly corresponds to Sagus levis of Rumph, of which he writes
that it receives in Amboina the name of “ Lapia molat”, and that it produces an
excellent kind of flour. with which the Amboinese make their much esteemed
dense gruel named ^" Papeda" and a kind of bread; biscuits of general use are
also made by cooking the flour in small heated stone moulds.
It is the “ Rambia” of the Malays of Java and Sumatra. “ Kirai” is its Javanese
name; and it is known now in Amboina as the “Sagu perampuan” (the female
Sagu) or the “Sagu papeda” (the Gruel Sagu).
Prate 104.—Metroxylon Sagus Zottb.—Spike-bearing branch with mature fruits ;
fruits entire, and in vertical section. In the lower part of the plate one figure
shows a vertical section of a seel normally evolute; in another figure, the embryo
traverses the entire albumen, and with its apex attains the internal cavity; in a
third the seed appears completely traversed by the integument, and shows also
traces of rumination. Intermediate’ segment from a full grown plant. Specimen
from a plant cultivated at Buitenzorg (Herb. Becc.).
PrarE 106.—Metroxylon Sagus Rottb. (The group of figures in the lower part,
and on the left side of the plate only).—Fruits collected by me at Padang in Sumatra,
One is transversely cut, leaving entire the seed, which shows its lower part with the
hilum, and the relies of the two abortive ovules; another figure represents the
bottom of thé endocarpal cavity of the - preceding figure, and shows the insertion
of the seed, the traces of the abortive ovules, and of the absorbed dissepiments,
The two halves of one seed, cut vertically through the embryo. From specimens
in alcohol. |.
t
M. sagus. METROXYLON. 167
la. MrerRoxyLon Saaus var. Morar Becc.
Description.—Petiole and rhachis unarmed ; a leaflet is 1°60 m. long, and 9 em.
wide, the margins spinulous only near the apex, otherwise smooth. very long-acumi-
nate to a slender tail like tip, the mid-costa spinulous only near the apex. Fruit
globose, not depressed, 25—29 mm. in diameter with rounded and mucronate top;
the base slightly excavate; scales slightly larger than long, deeply grooved along
the centre, the largest 9—10 mm. broad in the exposed part.
HanmrAT.—Ceram in the West end, and at Hamahai on the south coast of the
central part of the Island. Received with the native name of “Sagu molat” or
^S. malat.” This is the name that Rumph attributes to his Sagus levis, corres-
ponding to M. Sagus, from which the present variety differs only in having a some-
what smaller and more roundish fruit.
Two fruits. from W. Ceram are 25—29 mm. in diameter; one from Amahai is
28 mm.
PLatk 107.—Figs. 7-8—Metroxylon Rumphii vag. Molat Bece—Fig. 7, two fruits
from W. Ceram; fig. 8 one fruit from Amahai.
lb. Merrroxyton SaGus var. PEEKELIANUM Bece. new var.
Descriprion.—Not differing in habit from M. Sagus; 8—10 m. high; the trunk
vety stout (Peekel) Leaves having quite smooth petiole and rhachis. Leaflets with
mid-costa and margins smooth, very long-acuminate, those of the lower part of the
rhachis terminating in a filament 6—7 cm. long, not ciliate; nor spinulous. Spike-
bearing. branches 50 em. long (in one specimen) bearing 5 spikes on each side;
spathes unarmed, covered, especially in their upper part, with pale appressed small `
scarious scales. Spikes of tomentose appearance, the apices of the spathels slightly
protruding beyond the wool of the flower bracteoles; their pedicellar part is concave
on the axial side and has the margins very sharp and densely tomentose. The
fruits are spherical or a trifle longer than broad, 20—23 mm. long, 20—22 mm.
broad, not narrowing to the base, which is slightly hollowed; the apex is umbili-
cate, and shortly beaked; scales narrowly and not deeply grooved along the centre,
glossy, straw coloured, with a rather conspicuous darker intramarginal line, the
margins narrowly discoloured; less than ‘5 mm. wide (or much less than in vas.
gogolensis) and finely erose-toothed ; the apices triangular, not produced, and blunt.
The pericarp is thin in the upper part, and thicker at the base from the more
copious spongy mesocarp.
Haprrat—German New-Guinea at Namatanai near Salsal in New-Mecklenburg
in swampy places (Peekel No. 115 in Berlin Herbarium); native name “A bia tun.”
Curiously enough, this. name seems to correspond to that of “ Lapia Tuni”
under
which, according to Rumph M. Rumphii is known in Amboina. |
Osservations.—Distinguishable from M. Sagus (forma typica) by its much smaller
fruits, and by the spathes of the spike-bearinz branches being covered with
168 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. M. sagus.
appressed scarious scales. From variety gogolense it differs by the larger fruits,
which also have the scales with narrower discoloured margins.
PLATE 106.—Metroxylon Sagus var. Peekelianum Becc. (The figures on the left
side on the upper part of the plate only.) Spike and 3 fruits in different
aspects; from Peekels No. 115 in the Berlin Herbarium.
le. Merroxyton SaGus var. GoGoLENSE Bece.
M. leve (non Mart.) Schum. and Lauterb. Fl. Deut. Schützg. in der Sudsee
(1901) 202 (partly ?).
Description.—The leaves, in those parts seen by me, are not spinescent. "The
leaflets are indistinguishable from those of forma typica; those seen are a little over
1 m. in length, and 7°5 cm. wide; the mid-costa has: a few scales underneath and
is spinulous above in its upper third as are also the margins. The spike-bearing
branches, which aré exactly the same as in forma typica, have the spathes unarmed
¡and covered with a .thin greyish coating in their upper part. The spikes have a
tomentose appearance from the tips of the spathels, which protrude somewhat above
the wool of the flower bracteoles, are 9—10 em. long, and 11 mm. in diameter ;
their pedicellar part is concave on the axial side, with the margins sharp, almost
‘winged and is densely tomentose, especially at the base. The fruits, which although
not thoroughly mature in the specimens seen by me, had none the less attained their
definitive size, are the smallest ‘of all known species or varieties of Metroxylon,
are globular, 16—18 mm. in diameter, a little broader above than at the base
which is round and not in the least excavate, are flattish, or slightly depressed
on the top and suddenly beaked; the beak is narrow, acute, sulcate, 9 mm. long ;
scales small, the largest 4 mm. wide in the exposed part, their apices triangular,
uot produced, rathér. broadly grooved along the centre and of a pale straw colour,
have a slightly darker intramarginal line, and the edges represented by a ,scarious,
discoloured greyish and relatively broad (nearly 1 mm. wide) band; the extreme
margins are minutely erose-toothed. The whole pericarp is uniformly about 2 mm.
thick.
HanrraT.—German New-Guinea ; on the lower course of the Gogol River, collect-
ed by Lauterbach, the 4th. November 1890 (No. 861 in Berlin Herbarium).
' Osservarions.—I have considered this Metroxylon as a variety of M. Sagus,
but it is not known if the bases of the leaves and the petioles are. smooth or spine-
scent; in any case it is a very distinct variety if not of M. Sagus, then of M.
Rumphii, or perhaps a subspecies of one of these, distinguishable by its very small
fruits and scales having a broad discoloured edge. It is the Metroxylon with the
smallest fruit known; on this account it approaches JM. Rumphi var. buruense, but
in the latter the scales have a very narrow scarious margin and the pericarp is
relatively thick and spongy, whereas the pericarp is cat thin all round in
VAR. gogolense.
PLate 106.—Metroxylon fie var. gogolense Becc. (The figures on the right
hand side on the upper part of the plate only). A spike, and three fruits entire,
in different aspects; one fruit in vertical section, the seed £n situ entire; from
Lauterbach's No. 861 in the Berli Herbarium.
M. rumphii] METROXYLON. ij 169
2: Massi tLon RumpHit Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 214 (2nd edit.) and 313
t. 102. 159; Mig. Fl. Ind. Bat. 140; Bece. in Nuovo Giorn. bot. Ital. ni, 30:
Malesia i, 91; Hook. F. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 481.
Sagus Rumphii Willd. Sp.Pl. iv, 404.
Sagus genuina Rumph. Herb. Amb. i, E $47 18 (exel. Sagou duri rottang) ;
Blume, Rumphia ii, 150.
Sagus spinosus (Lapia tuni or genuine Sago-tree of Rumphius) Roxb. Fl.
Ind. ii. 623 excl. syn.
Description.—(Forma typica) Gregarious and sending forth many basal offshoots.
The trunk in young vigorous plants is entirely clothed with leaves, the base of :
which is much enlarged, sheathing and spinous; the petiole is also armed with
long spines. The full grown plants, approaching the emission of the inflorescence,
have a stout columnar straight trunk, about .60 cm. in diameter, attaining 8—10
m. in height, irregularly ringed with the scars of fallen leaves, the bases of
which remain long attached to the trunk, which otherwise is quite smooth.
The trunk has a narrow outer hard woody-fibrous zone, and internally is spongy
and succulent and mainly formed of cells filled with starch. © Leaves about 7 m.
long, imbrieately inserted and ascendent, the lower oldest reflexed ; the very
large embracing bases of the leaves are glaucous—green 1—1.Lm. long, and
about 45 cm. wide at tne base, are firmly coriaceous, deeply and broadly concave
inside, convex externally, have thin margins soon withered, and are armed
externally with several transverse pectinate series of unequal, flattened spines 3—4
em. long or less, confluent by their bases; the petiolar part is about as long as
the sheath and much longer in leaves of young and robust plants; it is 15 cm.
thick, broadly channelled above, rounded beneath, polished externally of a soft and
pithy structure inside and hard at the periphery, armed all along the dorsum, but
especially in its lower portion with small series or fascicles of digitate unequally
flattened or needle-like spines, some of which attain 7—8 em. in length, and
are still longer in leaves of young plants. Rhachis rounded below and similarly
armed as the petiole, especially along the centre, but with the spines becoming i
gradually less numerous and feebler towards the apex; the intermediate portion of the
rhachis is bifaced above and has the salient angle smooth, and not very sharp.
Leaflets inserted transversely at an angle of 45°. numerous and equidistant, the ‘
mesial being 6—7 cm. apart on each side, are rigid-papyraceous, green and shiny
on both surfaces, very faintly paler beneath, straight, broadly linear-ensiform,
somewhat narrowing, and having reduplicate margins at the base, gradually long-
acuminate towards the apex, which ‘in the lower and intermediate leaflets is
lengthened out to a filiform caudiculum, several centimeters long, becoming obsolete,
in the upper leaflets; the margins are acute (not thickened by a marginal nerve)
and furnished with small spinules distant at the base but becoming closer and
stronger and more spreading towards the apex; the mid-costa is very robust,
prominent and acute on the upper surface, where it is more or less spinulous
only near the apex; underneath it is slender, and furnished, especially near the
base, with a line, at times continuous, of brown ramentaceous scales, apparently
deeiduous by age; otherwise the lower surface is quite smooth. glabrous, and without
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
170 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ M. rumphii
dots (microlepidia); on each side of the mid-costa are 2—3 secondary nerves,
not very distinct, but marked on the upper surface. by faint..furrows ; tertiary nerves,
rather numerous, slender; transverse veinlets very numerous, much interrupted,
not always sharply distinct. The intermediate and largest leaflets are 1—1:2) m.
long, and in their broadest part, at about their middle, 6—8 cm. wide; the upper
leaflets speedily become considerably “smaller: the lower leaflets are smaller than
the mesials, and have the apex more lengthily filamentose. Inflorescence terminal,
very large, composed of several partial inflorescences, each sprouting from the axilla
of one of the uppermost leaves, which, however, when the fruits are mature,
perish with the entire plant. The partial inflorescences are 1°5 to 2:50 and more
metres long, simply branched, since the first divisions of the main axis carry the
spikes ; an entire partial inflorescence which I measured was 2°60 m. long, inelading
its peduneular or unbranched part; the latter was a little below 1 m. in length,
arched outwards, subterete or slightly flattened, 6 em. in diameter at its base, 4 cm.
above, clothed with several coriaceous spathes, tubular and closely sheathing in
their lower part, obliquely spread open into an ass's ear—like blade above and
having a triangular acuminate point ; such spathes are furfuraceous and covered
on their backs with horizontal series of confluent spinules, 5—10 mm. long; the
entire axial part. of the inflorescences gradually narrows above. and continues to be
clothed with spathes, similar to those just deseribed, but gradually smaller, each
alternately shielding the base of a spike bearing branch ; oa the whole one entire
partial inflorescence is composed of several (15 in one specimen) spike-bearing,
arched, spreading branches, the lowest of which, being the largest, is 40—50 cin.
long, and carries alternately on each side, 4—5 spikes ; the branches terminate in
a very short blunt point, formed by vacuous spathels ; the spathes of the branches
at the axillas from which spring the spikes, are 5 cm. long. rigid-pavyraceous.
eylindraceous, closely sheathing, unclosed along one side, gaping above, and
terminating in a spreading usually lacerated and withered point. are glabrous and
smooth in their lower part, and covered with very slender, scattered spinules above ;
the axial part of the branches at the base of every spathe is flat at one side, and
is densely woolly on the margins. The spikes are supported by a pedicellar part
about as long as their respective spathes and are inserted at the bottom of the
latter; the pedicellar part is flat on the axial side, has the margins tomentose, and
is sheathed in its upper half part by a special spathe which terminates in a triangular
point embracing the base of the spike ; the spike itself is provided at the base with
2—3 other gradually smaller spathes. Spikes cylindrical, 10—12 em. long, obtuse,
15 mm. in diameter (not taking into account the flowers) and of a tomentose
appearance, having the spathels very slightly exserted from the wool of the flower
bracteoles ; a transverse section of the spikes shows ‘3 broad reniform chestnut
brown glabrous striately-veined spathels, more or less united at the base by their
margins, and having a short triangular obtuse point; in the axilla of every spathel
nestle two. flowers, one of which is a male and the other. a female or more
correctly a semi-hermaphrodite. The special flower bracteoles are. very small, very
thinly membranous, brown, and completely disguised by the villosity that covers
them. and in which the flowers are half immersed. The male and female flowers
at a certain period of the development of the spadix, are nearly equally evolute -
. on the same spike, perfectly equal and arranged with great regularity, following
Ld
M. rumphii] METROXYLON. - 171
easy spirals. The time of blooming, however, is different, the male flowers being
precocious or opening and drooping before the female are ready for pollination ; in
a second period therefore the spikes show only the female flowers, and spiral furrows
indicate the spaces left empty by the fallen male flowers. The full-grown
flower buds (male and female) are obovoid-oblong, obtuse at apex, and narrow
somewhat at the base, are 6—7 mm. long and 3 mm. broad and have their lower
half immersed in the villosity of the bracteoles. The calyx is more or less deeply
3-lobed. the lobes are subcoriaceous, half-ovate, obtuse, and faintly striately-veined
externally ; the corolla is one-third or one-half longer than the calyx, and is
divided in its upper two-thirds into 3 coriaceous concave boat-shaped segments,
its lower third part being entire and campanulate. The male flowers are a little
narrower than the female; the stamens form with the united bases of the filaments an
urceolum almost entirely connate with the undivided part of the corolla ; in the free
part the filaments are broadly linear, flattened, truncate at the apex, but terminated by
a very minute apiculum, to which are attached the anthers at about the middleof their
backs ; the anthers are elongate-elliptical, obtuse, their cells are parallel and open
laterally and are.disjunet in their basal part. Rudimentary ovary represented by
3 small oblong bodies, arising from the bottom of the undivided part of the corolla.
The female flowers have stamens similar to those of the male but the anthers are
slightly smaller ; the calyx is more deeply 3-lobed, and finally 3-parted ; thé
ovary is obovoid-turbinate, abruptly narrowing into a thick style, whieh is deeply
suleate or stamped, with the outlines of the anthers, and reaches, with its acute
stigmatiferous apex, the summit of the anthers. Pruit globose, 4°5 em. across
usually a few millimeters longer than broad, more or less hollowed-umbilicate cat
the base, and flattish or slightly excavate and mueronulate above. Scales shiny, in 18
longitudinal series, regularly rhomboidal, almost as long as broad ; the mesials are
12—15 mm. wide, somewhat convex, and having a deep furrow, continuous along
the centre in all the scales of the same series ; are of a dirty straw colour when
dry and slightly darker near the margins; the true marginant part of the scales
is very ‘narrowly ‘scarious ‘and discoloured, and very minutely erose-ciliolate ;
the apices arte slightly produced, appressed and bluntish. The seed is almost always
abortive, even in fruits having a fully-developed periearp ; when, however, the seed
is normally evolute, it is undistinguishable from that of M. Sagus. The fruits either
with abortive or with normally evolute seeds, are externally alike, have the
mesocarp spongy-succulent, 6—10 mm. thick, and slightly thicker in its basal part
than at the side. If the seed is abortive, it nevertheless completely fills the
endocarpal cavity, has a very smooth surface and apparently seems perfect, but
consists almost entirely of a fleshy hypertrophic mass of cellular tissue, derived
from the integument, and containing in its central part the obsolete rudiments of
the ovule, without any trace of the albumen. Fruits with a nearly normally
conformed seed are some from Elmer's No. 11160 from the Philippines : in these
the nucleus is covered with a thick dry (once fleshy) integument, penetrating into
the orbicular. cavity of the albumen, which is also evidently horse-shoe-shaped
in vertical section, although somewhat imperfectly evolute for a teratological
‘cause in my specimen; otherwise it is indistinguishable from the seed of M. Sagus.
Evidently the continuous multiplication of this species by offshoots has caused
frequent imperfect sexual reproduction.
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, Vou. XII.
172 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ M. rumphii
(The. hypertrophic sterile seed of M. Rumphii is represented by Warburg. in
his study on the ^" Polynesischen Steinnuss Palmen" in Berich. Deut. Bot. Gesell.
xiv, (1896). p- 188. t, .X. £9).
HanrrAT.— Very widely cultivated on the swampy coasts of the different Islands
of the Moluceas, especially in Ternate, Halmaheira, Amboina, and Ceram, and in
N. E. Guinea; and the neighbouring islands, as Salwatty, Mysol, Aru and Key.
I have seen specimens also from Celebes, from the Sangir group (North of Celebes),
from Batjan (Warburg), from Java (Zol.inger No. 1404 in Herb. de Cand. and
Berlin), from Borneo (Becc. P. B. No. 3122), from Mindanao (Herb. Manila
No. 5443, and Elmer No. 11160 in Herb. Bece.)
In Amboina, according to Rumph, it receives the name of *Lapia tuni"; in
‘Mindanao of “Lumbia”. In Salwatty it is named “Bi” and in N. E. New
Guinea “Barian” or “ Wariani" by the Mafor people {Beccari}.
Zollinger writes that it is the “ Ambulan” of the Javanese, and the “ Kirai”
of the Malays and Sundanese. According to Miquel is the " Kirai Karbau berduri "
(the thorny buffalo Sagu) of the Malays of Java.
Osservations.—It is. distinguishable from M. Sagus, which it greatly resembles
in having the leafsheaths, petioles and rhachises of the leaves more or less
spinescent, and all the spathes, even those of the spike-bearing branches, also .
spinous. It differs also from M. Sugus by its fruits not being depressed, but
slightly longer than broad. Very rarely are to be seen plants of M. Rumphi in
flower or fruit, as they are always eut down before they attain the age of ferti-
lity, for otherwise the starch accumulated in the pithy tissue of their trunks
would be lost, beinz utilized by the plant for the nourishment of its reproductive
organs, and the ripening of the fruits. Even when the plant does produce fruits,
they, although externally appearing to be normally evolute, almost always contain
abortive or imperfectly evolute seeds.
. The uses of M. Rumphit are the same as those of M. Sagus, and like that
palm its principal product is the starch extracted from the stem, which is a very
important article oj commerce, and furnishes, more or less, the bread of the
inhabitants of the countries where this Sagu Palm grows. In other ways this palm
is also very useful in supplyinz very good material for the construction, of houses,
and for making numerous articles of domestic and common use. ,
For a full account of the manner of extraction and preparation of the starch
and of the other commodities supplied by the Sagu tree, the reader may consult
the chapter referring to its uses in the “Herbarium Amboinense ” ll. ec.
Important information also is to be found in * De Nuttige planten van Neder-
landsch-Indie, by K. Heyne (1913) i, 54.
PLare 105.—Metroxylon Rumphii Mart.—Branch of the spadix, bearing spikes
covered with male and female hermaphrodite flowers; from a plant that flowered
in the Botanic Garden of Calcutta ‘Herb. Beccari). Portion of a spike-bearing
branch: on the spikes remain only a few female—hermaphrodite flowers, after all
the male ones have disappeared; fruits in different positions; seed cut in
halves showing the imperfectly evolute albumen; intermediate leaflet of a leaf from
‘a full grown plant; from Elmer’s No. 11160 in Herb. Beccari. In the lowest part
M. rumphii] METROXYLON. 173
of the. plate one abortive seed with hypertrophic integument, and the same seed
cut vertically ; from a Bornean specimen in alcohol (Herb. Beccari). |
Prate 106.—Metroxylon Rumphii Mart.—(The group of figures in the lower
part of the plate, and at its right hand side.) The same fruits from Borneo,
preserved in alcohol. represented in Plate 105; one of the fruits is cut vertically
showing the endocarpal cavity, which contained the abortive seed also represented
entire. and in vertical section in Plate 105. (bor
2a MerroxyLon Rumpuui var. Rorawe Becc. is
Descriprion.—The leaves apparently are less spinous than those of the type;
the rhachis towards the end of the leaf has only rudimentary spines on the
sback. The fruits are as in the type but somewhat smaller.
HanrrAT.— West Oeram: Native name “Sagu Rotang." I mention this variety
because it is recognised by the natives, but the specimens of it seen by me are
too poor for judging of its ,value. The fruits are similar to those of the forma
typica and well conformed externally, but have the seed reduced to only its
hypertrophic integument. It is not to be confused with Rumph’s Sagu duri Rotang,
which corresponds to VAR. mecracanthum, and has small fruits.
2b. Merrroxyton RuMPHII var. LONGISPINUM Bece.
M. longispinum Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. in, 215, 343; Mig. Fl. Ind.
Bat. ill, 146.
Sagus longispina Rumph, Herb. Amb..i, 75: Blume, Rumphia ii, 154.
Sagus longissima (sphalmate) Hamilt. in Mem. Wern. Soc. v, 320.
Sagus genuina var. longissima Giseke, Prael. in Ord. Nat. 94.
Sagus farinifera Poir. in Lam. Encycl. Bot. vi, 394.
Descriprion.—It is doubtless a variety of M. Rumphi, having a more slender
trunk, the leaves with longer spines on the petioles, and a larger fruit.
Rumph writes that no other Sagu tree, has spines so long, that its trunk is
not so thick as that of “Sagu Tuni,” the typical form of M. Rumphw, but that
it is slender and similar to that of Cocos nucifera; that its “Gabba Gabba” (the
petiole of the leaves used for the walls of the houses, etc.) do not last so long as
those of M. Rumphi, and that its leaves are narrower, of thinner structure, more
deeply green and more brittle, so as to render them less fit for “ Ataps" (roof-
ing) and that its trunk affords less starch than * Lapia Tuani” (M. Rumphit type).
The fruits are described as of the size of a hen's ezg. obliquely excavate in the
lower part. He adds that it is the least esteemed of all known varieties or species
of Sagu tree.
Haprrat.—Amboina at Huconalo or Rumatiga, Leytimor and Hite. Native name
in Leytimor *Lapia Macanaru" and in Hite ‘ Macanalo" and * Maeanalum"
(Rumph). |
Osservations.—I have not seen specimens which could. with certainty be referred
to this variety. Under the name of “Sagu Makanaro” I have received a variety
2?)
(
174 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. rumphii
with small fruits, whieh I have considered. as a subvariety ‘of var. micracanthum
(M. Rumphit var. mieracanthum subvar. Makanaro) and which on account of its small
fruits, evidently cannot be Rumph’s Sagus longispina.
Under the name of M. longispinum were forwarded to me, also from Buitenzorg.
some fruits a little smaller than those of the typical M. Rumphit (high and broad
35—37 mm.) flattish above and at the base, having the nucleus covered with a
copious integument, and the chalazal cavity wide and shallow.
Pirate 107.—Fig. 9.—Fruit and seed entire, and seed cut vertically, from the
specimens Tecelved from Buitenzorg under the name of Metroxylon longispinum,
mentioned above.
2c. MerRoxyLoN RuMPHH var. SYLVESTRE Becc.
M. sylvestre Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm ili, 215, 343; Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. iii, 146.
Sagus sylvestris Rumph. Herb. Amb. i, 75; Blume, Rumphia, ii. 153.
a Lo wi vAR. B sylvestris fructu perforato Giseke, Prael. in Ord.
Descriprion.—Rumph describes his Sagus sylvestris as having a very high trunk
covered with spines, shorter but more densely set than in any other; most pro-
bably, however, it is not precisely the trunk that is spinescent, but the spines are
on the bases of the leaves that cover the trunk. The fruits are said to be smaller
than in “Lapia Tuni” (the type of M. Rumphit), globular, depressed at the base
and above, and having ihe seed perforatel, or in other words, with the chalazal
Cavity so deep as to traverse the/.albumen from side to side. I have, however,
often. observed this in M. Sagus, where frequently the embryo penetrates the entire
mass of the albumen, and with its apex attains the base of the chalazal fovea, in
which case the albumen looks as if it were perforated.
HaBrrAT.—According to Rumph this variety grows frequently in Ceram, but it
is rare in Amboina. Native names “ Lapia Ihur” and “Ihul.”
Osservations.—I have received from the Buitenzorg Herbarium a specimen
named “Sagu Ihor” consisting of the terminal part of a leaf, and 3 fruits,
gathered in the West of Ceram. The rhachis of the leaf is rather strongly spines-
cent beneath; the leaflets are long-acuminate, prolonged into a narrow tip and
rather densely ciliate at the sides; the mid-costa is furnished with some long
bristles on the upper surface towards the apex, and the margins are closely
ciliate spinulous. The fruits are. globular, inconspicuously beaked, very much like
those of M. Sagus, 35—38 mm. across and 30—35 mm. high, and have the base
excavate ; the largest scales are 11—12 mm. broad in the exposed part, glossy,
straw-coloured, with a darker faint intra-marginal line, and very - narrow,
discoloured, erosely-toothed margins. The pericarp has the uniform thickness of
2—3 mm. all round, and is not considerably more spongy at the base than
~- elsewhere. One of the 3 fruits I dissected contained an abortive seed with
hypertrophic integument as in M. Sagus. This specimen we may assume to represent
really the Sagus sylvestris of Rumph, but in fact, as far as I can judge from the
specimens at my disposal, it differs from M. Rumphi only in its smaller fruit, and
in the leaflets being furnished with some long bristles.
=
M. rumphii] METROXYLON. 175
Prare 107.—Fig. 1.—Metroxylon’ Rumphii var. sylvestre Becc. Two fruits:
received: from: Buitenzorg, coming from Wést Ceram and named “ Sagu Ihor.”
9d. METROXYLON RuwPH var. CERAMENSE Becc.
Pescriprion.—I consider as representing this variety of M. Rumphit a form,
evidently very common in Ceram, which differs from the type only in its smaller
globular, non-depressed or oblong fruits, and in. having leaves with very broad
leaflets. Of this variety the natives recognize 4 secondary varieties distinguished
by the following names: "Sagu Ceram”; ^*$. Merah” (or red); "S. putih” (or
white); * S. hitam” (or black) All have spinous petioles.
9d'. Subvar PLATYPHYLLUM Bece.
One leaflet is remarkably largo, being 1°75 m. long and 12°5 em. broad with
its margins ciliate-spinulous, especially from the middle upwards. The only fruit I
have seen is ovoid-oblong, rounded above, not attenuate below, and excavate at the
base; it is 37 mm. long, and 26 mm. across; the scales are deeply grooved, the
largest 8 mm. broad in the exposed part, with the apices slightly produced, and
bluntish, the margins narrowly discoloured, and finely erosely-toothed. The fruit
is almost the same as in the variety ceramense rubrum, but the specimens of the
leaflet are considerably larger. If the wideness of the leaflets and the form of the
fruit were constant characters, this would be a very distinct variety.
Hapirat.—At Amahai on the south coast of Central Ceram, Native name
“Sagu Ceram.”
Əd”. Subvar. RUBRUM Bece.—One leaflet is rather large but relatively narrow,
70 m. long, 7°5 cm. broad ; the margins have few and short spines; the mid-costa
is slightly spinulous near the apex. One fruit is ovoid-oblong, rounded above, not
attenuate. below, and excavate at the base, 3 cm. long, 22 mm. in diameter; scales
deeply grooved, slightly produced in bluntish apices, the largest 8 mm. broad in
the exposed part, the margins very narrowly discoloured, finely erosely-toothed.
Haprrat.—Amahai in Ceram. Native name “ Sagu merah.”
21". Subvar. ALBUM Becc.—One leaflet is 1°65 m. long, 10'5 em. broad; the
margins and the mid-costa slightly spinulous near the apex. Fruit globular, 32 mm.
in diameter, rounded above, the base excavate ; the largest scales 9—10 mm. wide
in the exposed part, deeply grooved, slightly broader than long, the margins very
narrowly discoloured, finely erosely-toothed. ;
Hapirat—Amahai in Ceram. Native name “Sagu putih.”
Under this same native name I also received from West Ceram another speci-
men, which slightly difters from -the one from Amahai in having smaller fruits,
very slightly longer than broad, 25—27 mm., broad 26—30 mm. high ; the pericarp
is considerably more spongy at the base than above ; the scales are less convex
and with the apices more distinctly prolonged and acute.
od". Subvar. wiGRUM Becc.—One leaflet is 166m. long and 9 cm. broad, has
the margins rather densely ciliate-spinulous, and the mid-costa slightly spinulous
near the apex. One fruit is globular, 3 cm. in diameter, rounded abovo and
\
176 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [.M. rumphii
excavate at the base, otherwise exactly the same as in variety album, a little
smaller.
HaBrrAT.—AÀmahai in Ceram. Native name “Sagu hitam.”
Pirate 107.—Figs. 2—6.—Metroxylon Rumphii var. ceramense Bece.—Fig. 2
subvar. album (from Amahai)— Fig. 3 subvar. album (from West Ceram)—Fig. 4
subvar. nigrum ;—Fig. 5 subvar. platyphyllum. Fig. 6 subvar. rubrum. (All specimens
from Buitenzorg in Herb. Beccari.) |
2e. MerRroxyLon RuMPHII var. MICRACANTHUM Bece.
M. micracanthum Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ili, 215 (2nd edit.); Miq. Fl. Ind.;
Bat. in, 146.
Sagus micracantha Bl. Rumphia, 4, 153.
Sagus duri rottang; Ramph. Herb. Amb. 7, 75 sub No. 1.
Descrirtion.—The name of Sagus micracantha was assigned by Blume to the
Sagus duri rottang of the ^ Herbarium Amboinense” described by. Rumph as
. having very small fruits and leaves armed with shorter spines than those of M.
Rumphi, and similar to those of a Calamus; I think, however, that a rigorous
identification of this variety, with the description given by Rumph, to be a rather
difficult task. Nevertheless it seems to me very probable that a variety named
“ Sagu Tuni" growing in West. Ceram, of which I have received specimens from
Buitenzorg, may correspond to Sagus miracantha Bl. Blume. Martius and Miquel
have considered (doubtfully however) Rumph’s Sagus duri rottang as corresponding
to Labillarditre’s Sagus genuina, figured in Turpin’s “ Dictionnaire des Sciences
Naturelles (Botanique), but although Labillardiére’s species is certainly a very near
ally of Sagus duri rotiang I prefer to consider it as a distinct variety.
Of the Metroxylon which I believe to correspond to the Sagus duri rottang
I have seen only the end of a leaf, and a few fruits. The leaf has the dorsum
of the rhachis spinescent to the extreme end, and the leaflets are distinctly ciliate-
spinulous on the margins and on the mid-costa. The fruits are very small, some
of them (having been evidently pressed one against the other) are oblong-obovoid,
but one regularly evolute is globular, not depressed above, terminated by a slender
pungent beak, is 23 mm. in diameter, has the base roundish, the scales very
shiny, straw-coloured, and very narrowly discoloured on the margins. The pericarp
is thin above, but gradually becomes thicker and more spongy at the sides, and
is 6—7 mm. thick at the base.
' Haprrat—Rumph writes that the Sagu duri rottang, to which he adds the
Amboinese name: ‘Lapia Luli-uwe," grows abundantly at Humohela (in Ceram),
but that it ise almost unknown in Amboina. The specimen I have considered as
corresponding to it. comes from about the place mentioned by Rumph (West
Ceram) and was labelled by the Buitenzorg collector “Sagu Tuni,’ a name,
however, with which Rumph distinguishes the “Sagu” that has been generally
considered as the typical M. Rumphii.
Prate 107.—Fig. 12.—Metroxylon Rumphii var. micracanthum — Becc.—F ruits
from West Ceram, named *“ Sagu Tuni". by the Buitenzorg collector, and considered
as corresponding to Rumph's Sagu duri rottang (Herb. Beccari).
M. rumphii] METROXYLON. 177
2el. Var. MICRACANTHUM subvar. Makanaro Becc. It differs from the preceding
in the fruits being a little larger, globular, 27—28 mm. in diameter. It forms a
link with the variety ceramense. Rumph’s “Lapia Macanaru” is quite another
plant from the above, and is the Metroxylon longispinum of Martius (M. Rumphii
var. longispinum Becc.) to which Rumph assigns a fruit as big as a hen's egg.
and therefore not at all corresponding to our “plant.
si
HaBrrAT.—West Ceram. Native name ‘ Makanaro."
Pirate 107.—Fig. 11.—Metroxylon Rumphii, var. mieracanthum, subvar. Makanaro.
Becc.— Two fruits from West Ceram (Herb. Beccari).
2f. Merrroxyton RumPHII var. BURUENSE Becc.
Sagus genuina Labill. as to the figures of the fruit in Turpin's Dict. Se.
Nat (Bot.). :
DrscRiPTION.— Probably not diftering in habit from the typical M. Rumphit
Fruit very small, globose, 18—20 mm. in diameter, flattish or slightly concave
above, and minutely beaked., the base roundish or slightly unequal ; scales in 18
vertical series, the largest 5 mm. broad in the exposed part, and with the apices
slightly produced and obtuse, faintly grooved along the centre, glossy, sttaw-
coloured with a narrow dark intra-marginal line and narrowly discoloured finely
erose-ciliate margin; the pericarp relatively thick and spongy, eSpecially at the
base.. The seed has the albumen homogeneous, horse-shoe shaped in vertical
section, and the embryo basal, exactly as in the typical forms of Metroxylon.
OxpsERVATIONS.—Buru (Labillardière). i
HanmrraT.—[t is distinguishable by its very small, globose, not depressed fruits
having the scales darker than in any other variety, and a relatively thick
pericarp of uniform thickness all round. .I have considered var. buruense as
referable to M. Rumphii, but it could be as well related to M. Sagus as it is
not known if it has spinous or smooth spathes, leaf-sheaths, and petioles.
The variety is established upon some fruits, collected by Labillardière in Buru,
which are figured by Turpin (l. c.) in the plate’ representing Sagus genuina
Labillardière.
Blume, Martius, and Miquel have supposed Sagus genuina Labill to correspond
to Rumph's “Sagu duri rottang;" but this latter I have reduced to M. Rumphit
var. ceramense, and I now consider the fruits of the Metroxylon collected by
Labillardière in Buru, as representing a distinct variety, perhaps more distinct
from M. Rumphit (or M. Sagus) than any other.
Regarding these fruits, and the two plates representing Sagus genuina» in
Turpin's Dictionary I have to remark :—.
(1) The specimens, on which the artist based his representation of Sagus genuina
in Turpin’s . Dictionary, were mixed, as I have been able to verify by actual
inspection of the specimens of Metroxylon collected by Labillardière in Buru. and
preserved in the Herbaria of Florence, Paris and de Candolle; in fact these speci-
mens consist of spike-bearing branches, and of detached fruits, parts evidently
belonging to two distinct varieties. In the Paris Herbarium these specimens are
ANN. Roy. BoT. GARD.. CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
178 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. rumphii
mixed up and loose in the sheet-covering, and with them are two labels, but it
is not possible to ascertain to which specimens these labels respectively belong.
Of the spike-bearing branches some have spinous, and others smooth spathes.
One of the detached fruits is large, and could belong to M. Rumphüt, as wel as
to a variety of M. Sagus; several other fruits are very small, and correspond
exactly to those figured in one of Turpin's plates and they represent the type upon
which the: var. buruense is established. We remain uncertain, however, if these
fruits belong to the branches having spinous spathels or to those with the spathes
smooth. i
(2) In one of Turpin’s plates, besides the fruit and its analysis (which un.
questionably belongs to VAR. buruense) is represented not an entire spadix, but one
of its spike-bearing branches, having spinescent spathes, but we do not know if it
really belongs to the same variety as the fruits.
(3) From the analysis of the fruit in the above mentioned plate, it would
appear that the seed had a ruminate albumen; but this certainly is not the case.
The fruits collected by Labillardière, although they had attained their definitive size»
were not thoroughly mature, and the seed they contained was dry and shrivelled,
and may have had the appearance, on a superficial inspection, ot having a ruminate
albumen ; but these fruits when restored by appropriate means to their former
fresh condition, show the normal structure proper to all Metroxylons,—an albumen
homogeneous, horse-shoe shaped in vertical section, having a large apical chalazal
cavity, and a basal embryo. This false representation of the seed of Sagus genuina
in Turpin's Dictionary „has misled Martius, Blume, Miquel, Bentham and Hooker,
and others. who have considered a ruminate albumen to be a generic character of
Metroxylon. Drude in “Engler and Prantl’s, Pflanzenfamilien” assigns a ruminate
seed to Eumetroxylon, and an homogeneous one to his subgenus Celococcus; as a
matter of fact, however, the seed is absolutely identieal in both.
(4) Turpin's plate representing the general habit of Sagus genuina is also false,
the spadices appearing as if they were emerging from the axils of the leaves
and being much shorter than the leaves; but most certainly all true Metroxylons
have a definite terminal inflorescence. Probably the artist, not having a flowering
plant at hand, took as a model a sterile one, and added to it some detached
spike-bearing branches, received from the natives.
Turpin's figure has been often reproduced in popular books of Botany contribut-
ing to give a false idea of the general habit of the Sago tree.
PLate 107.—Fig. 10.—Metroxylon Rumphii var. buruense Becc.—Fruits collected
. by Labillardière in Buru (Paris Herbarium) and corresponding to the Sagus genuina
of that author, figured in Turpin's Dictionary. See also the section of the seed in
the analytieal Plate VI. fig. 15.
2g. MEerroxyLon RumPHII var. FLYRIVERENSE Becc.
Sagus Rumphii in L. M. D'Alberti's " New Guinea
72
Appendix.
DrescgrPTION.— Fruit turbinate, flat above and very minutely beaked, 4 cm.
long, somewhat irregular by mutual pressure, 33 mm. broad at the uppermost part and
thence slightly attenuate below ; scales in 18 vertical series, convex, and deeply
M. squarrosum] | METROXYLON. pL ITE
grooved along the centre; the largest 9 mm. wide have the apices triangular, not
produced, very appressed, and the margins very finely erosely-toothed, and very
narrowly discoloured.
It is presumed: to be a spinous plant, and accordingly is considered’ as a
variety of M. Rumphi. :
HanrrAT.—Only one fruit was collected by L. M. D'Albertis on the Fly River
in British. New Guinea.
PraArE 107.—Fig. 13.—Metroxylon Rumphii var. flyriverense Bece.—The fruit
representing the variety in Herb. Beccari.
3. METROXYLON SQUARROSUM Bece. n. sp.
Description.—Nothing is known of the general aspect of the plant, and the nature
and degree of the spinescence of the leaves is uncertain. The leaflets are broadly
ensiform, L'10—1'40 m. long, 6—9 cm. broad, long-acuminate, the apex spinulous
at the sides. and occasionally prolonged into a filament ; the mid-costa is more or
less spiny above, specially near the apex ; underneath the mid-costa is covered
entirely or partially with small paleole ; the margins are either spinulous or nearly
smooth : on the whole there are no reliable characters by which to distinguish
the leaves of this species from those of M. Rumphii or M. Sagus. Of the spadix
I have seen only a few detached fruetiferous spikes ; their spathes are apparently
not spinous. Male flowers......... Female flowers in bud (remnants, undeveloped on the
fruiting spikes) ovate, 5 mm. long and 3 mm. broad, rounded above, and not attenu-
ate at the base; the calyx is split to the base (in the fruiting perianth) into
3 parts, smooth at the base, striately-veined in the upper two-thirds of their entire
length ; the corolla is about twice as long (or less) as the calyx ; the petals are
obtuse ; ovary and stamens exactly as in M. Rumphii. Spikes 12—18 em. long and about
15 mm. in diameter exclusive of the flowers ; the pedicellar part is flattened, and has
obtuse, glabrous margins (not sharp and ila as in M. Rumphii and M. Sagus) ;
the spathels of the spike-bearing branches are apparently ‘not spinous (always ?) ;
the spathels have their upper half part triangular, dry, dark brown, scarious and
brittle, protruding above the flower bracteoles, which are much less woolly than in
M. Rumphi and M. Sagus, and giving on the whole a squarrose and glabrous
appearance to the entire spike. The fruits are small, 20—25 mm. long, 18—23 mm.
across, globular-turbinate or more or less distinetly narrowing to the base especially
when numerous and crowded on the spikes, and in this case also they are more
or less obsoletely angular ; in no case are they excavate at the base; are flattish
and rounded above, and terminated by a very distinct, slender muero; scales in
18 vertical series, shiny, pale straw-coloured ; the entire pericarp is thin in its
upper part and at the sides, but is thicker ii the base, owing to a greater develop-
ment of the spongy mesocarp. Seed globular, enveloped by a thick integument ; the
albumen is horse-shoe-shaped in vertical section, has a deep apical chalazal Ros ;
and a small basal embryo traversing the entire base of the albumen.
HaBrrAT.—Àt Waru in the East end of Ceram.
OBSERVATIONS. —Seemingly a distinct species, distinguishable by the glabrous and
squarrose- appearance of the spikes, owing to the spathels, which protrude their upper
ANN. Roy. BoT. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII
180 | ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. squarrosum
third part beyond the slightly woolly floral bracteoles ; but especially is it charac-
terised by the pedicellar part of the spikes, flattened but with convex faces and
having obtuse margins, quite glabrous at the base, whereas, in all the allied species
that part is flat, or else concave on the axial side, and has the margins acute and
more or less densely villose ; it is characterised also by its very small fruits, more
or less distinctly turbinate, or in any case not hollowed at the base.
It seems that frequently in this species numerous fruits arrive at perfect matur-
ity on the spikes and become more or less angular, and distinctly attenuate at the
base or türbinate by mutual pressure; whereas, when they are loosely set, and
may grow freely, they assume a more roundish shape. The seed is much smaller
than that of M. Sagus, but otherwise it has tbe same structure.
Apparently the flowers. of M. squarrosum also differ from those of M. Rumphit
and M. Sagus in not being attenuate below and in having a rounded base.
_ The varieties of Metroxylon recognised by the natives at Waru, in the east end
of Ceram, are seven in number, of which I have received specimens from Buiten-
zorg, all apparently being referable to M. squarrosum, but as far as I can judge
from the scanty material at my disposal, barely distinguishable the one from
the other from a systematic point of view. From the notes attached to each
specimen, reproduced in the key, it would appear that some of the varieties have
spinous trunks ; but probably it is. only the leaf-sheaths covering the trunk that
are spinous. dini
1. Var. Kirwor—A leaflet is 1:05 m. long and 6 cm. wide, not very long
acuminate, having spinulous margins in its upper two-thirds, and terminated by a
linear caudiculum 7 cm. long, also spinulous at the sides ; the mid-costa is sparingly
spinulous only near the apex. Fruits turbinate, 23 mm. long, 21—23 mm. broad
angular by mutual pressure, distinctly narrowing towards the base, flattish tees
and acutely beaked ; scales very convex, shiny, pale straw-coloured, not very deeply
grooved along the centre, the largest 6—7 mm. wide in the exposed part, bordered
by a very narrow reddish-brown band, and produced into a rather acute appressed
point ; the margins are very finely erose-ciliate. The pericarp is thin, 15—2 mm.
only, thick at the sides and above, and thicker and spongy at the base. ("No
spmes—Petioles green—’’ Note of the collector.) `
2. Var. Kurasi.—A leaflet is 1°35 m. long and very broad (9 cm.) not very
long-acuminate, with nearly smooth margins and furnished, near the apex only
with very small spinules ; the mid-costa also has only traces of spinules near (he
apes on the upper surface. One spike is 18 cm. long, and is supported by a
pedieellar part 5 cm. long, 10—12 mm. wide, polished, flattened and with obtuse
smooth margins; a portion of its spathe still attached to it is not spinous. The
fruits are exactly as in the var. Kilwoi, and of the same size, but some of them
are not attenuate at the base, which is unequal and more or less rounded
or flattish. This variety appears characterized by its very broad leaflets having
slightly spinulous margins, and, according to the collector's note, by the. want of”
spines, and by its gray petioles.
3. Var. KiLKARUA.—A leaflet is relatively narrow, 1°08 m. long, and 6'5 em
broad, very gradually and long acuminate, having the margins rather densely phu:
lous, and the mid-costa spinulous only in its apical part. A spike is 17 cm.
M. squarrosum] METROXYLON. 181
long. The fruits are exactly as in the var. Kilwoi; some, however, are globular
depressed, flattish above. rounded and unequal at the base, 95 mm. in diameter,
whereas others are distinctly turbinate, and from below the middle asymmetrical,
and obsoletely angular by mutual pressure. In one fruit I have found two seeds,
According to the collector’s note the plant is covered from base to top with long
and thick spines, and has petioles intensely green.
4. Var. KiLATAN or KILATANKIRKIE.—AÀ leaflet is rather narrow, 1°15 m. long,
6 cm. broad, gradually and long-acuminate, slightly spinulous on the margins; the
mid-costa has only a few tuberculiform spinules near the apex. A spike is 13 em.
long. The fruits slightly differ from those of the other varieties in having a
rounder top which is only slightly depressed around the beak; are more or less
turbinate and at times have a roundish base, are 23—25 mm. long, and 19—93 mm.
in diameter. Some of these fruits have a thoroughly mature seed, which is
Spherical, 15 mm. in diameter, covered with a crustaceous (once certainly fleshy)
integument; the albumen in vertical section has a crescent-like or horse-shoe
shape, and a large upper cavity ; the walls of the albumen are 3—4 mm. thick;
the embryo 4 mm. iong, penetrating through the entire base of the albumen.
(* Petioles long ; spines short and thick "—collector's note.
5. Var. KiLKouR.—A leaflet is narrow, 1°25 m. long, 6 em. broad, rather
long-acuminate ; the apex is caudiculate; the margins are very distinctly ciliate-
spinulous from the lower third upwards near the apex the cilia are 5—6 mm.
long; the mid-costa is provided above, near the apex, with bristles 7—8 mm. long.
The spike has a pedicellar part exactly as in the var. Killasi and is 18 cm.
long. The fruts are exactly as in the var. Kilwot. (“Considered th best variety.
From base to top covered with moderately large spines. Trunk -and , branches
—collector’s note.)
H
white '
6. Var. KILTAFUK.—A leaflet is narrow, 1°30 m. long, 5—7 em. broad and very
long-acuminate; the margins are unequally armed with rather rigid spinules from
the middle upwards; the mid-costa has a few spinules, 3—4 mm. long near the
apex. The fruits are not very different from ‘those of the variety Kilwot, but are
a little smaller, 18—21 mm. long, slightly turbinate, non-depressed at the apex,
which terminates in a conical pungent beak; the scales are more produced into
an acute point than in the other varieties. (“From base to top covered with
slender and moderately long spines. Petioles green. It grows only in swamps "—
collector’s note.)
7. Var. Kikikig.—A leaflet is shorter and relatively broader than in the
preceding varieties, is 1 m. long, and 7 cm. broad, and is rather long-acuminate ;
the margins are almost absolutely smooth, but for the traces of a few spinules
near the apex; the mid-costa has also only a few spinules near the apex. The
fruits are exactly the same as in the var. K?lwor, and the mature seed is as in the
var. Kilatan. (“The trunk has no spines; the petioles are covered with - dense’
tufts of short spines’—collector’s note).
PLate 108.—Metroxylon squarrosum ABecc.—Fig. 1. Var. Kilatankirkie: one
fruit is eut vertically through the seed—Fig. 2. Var. Kilwor. Fig. 3. Var. Killas.
Fig. 4. Var. Kilkarua : one fruit in vertical section with two seeds visible. All
182 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ M. warburgit
representing the type specimens in Herb. Beccari. See analytical plate VI in
which figs. 12—13 represent the flower buds and fig. 14 the vertical section of
the seed.
Latin Driagnosis.—Metroxylon squarrosum Bece. sp. nov. Spicarum facie glabres-
centi ex spathellis bracteolarum tomentum conspicue superantibus ; earum parte
pedicellari complanato-biconvexa, marginibus obtusis glabris; fructibus parvis globoso-
turbinatis.
4. Merrroxyton WarBuRGII Bece.
Celococcus Warburgi Heim in Bull. Agr. Col. Soc. Frane. de Colonis. 1902,
p. 25 (extract) figs. 1—5 and in Bull. Soc. Bot. de Fr. i, (1904) 575, figs. 1—5.
DrescRIPTION:.— Apparently a smaller plant than the other Sago Palms, but
equally producing a terminal large-branched definite inflorescence. One leaf, appa-
rently belonging to the upper part of a flowering plant, is on the whole 1°30, m.
long; the leaf-sheath is coriaceous and provided along the centre of the dorsum
with some short series of small pungent tubereles ; the petiole is reduced almost
to nothing; the rhachis is also armed, along the centre of the back, with small
pungent tubercles; another still smaller leaf, has the sheath unarmed. The
leaflets are frequently unequidistant or irregularly approximate in twos or threes on
each side of the rhachis; they. are very rigid-papyraceous or thinly coriaceous,
ensiform, relatively narrow, very gradually narrowing above into a very long and
very gradually acuminate flaccid tip; some detached leaflets, apparently from leaves
of vigorous specimens, are 1:25 m. long and 3°5—5 cm. broad in their lower third
and broadest part; they narrow a little below, and have reduplicate margins at
the base; when dry ‘are brown and dull above, and appear to have been con-
spicuously glaucous underneath; the mid-costa is prominent, sharp and smooth
throughout above, superficial and without scales or paleole beneath; the secondary
nerves are unequal, , rather sharp but slender, rendering the blade plicate along
them; they are not much stronger than several tertiary ones, and altogether con-
tribute to render both surfaces, but especially the upper one, distinctly striate ;
transverse veinlets very minute, very close together and interrupted, rather distinct
on the upper surface; margins acute and smooth or with only a “few rudimentary
spinules near the apex. Spikelet-bearing branches exactly as in the other
Metroxylons, and bearing distichally and alternately 2—3 spikes on each side of the
rhachis; their spathes are tubular-infundibuliform, not very obliquely truncate at
the mouth and produced at one side into a triangular acuminate point; are
coriaceous, glabrous, unarmed, and striately veined ; they narrow somewhat at the
base, where they are flattish and have acute and not villose margins in that part
which is in contact with the pedicellar part of the underlying spike. The spikes
are similar to those of M. Rumphit and M. Sagus, but have a glabrous appearance
and, after the fall of the female flowers, show very regular series of deep pits
in the places occupied by them; the spikes are 10—11 cm. long, and 15 mm. in
diameter (exclusive of the flowers); spathels very broad and low, suddenly
contracted into a triangular and acute point produced beyond the special floral brac-
teoles ; the latter are more rigid and more developed than in any other Metroxylon
known to me; the two external bracteoles are connate by their margins and
embrace the two flowers existing at each spathel and are densely hairy on their
M. warburgii] .. METROXYLON. 183
backs and on the upper margins; the special bracteole of the female flower is
relatively large, hairy on the upper margin, and has two wings on the side of
the. male flower, by which that flower is in a great measure embraced; the other
and more internal bract is cyathiform, also ciliate on the margin, and with the
other and larger bract of the female flower forms a deep cup or calyculum. In
the specimens seen the female flowers are just expanded and not one male flower
is left on the spikes. The female-hermaphrodite flowers are elongate, cylin-
draceous, blunt. 11 mm. long, and 4 mm. wide; the calyx is coriaceous, cyathi-
form, attenuate at the base, dull and not striately veined, parted nearly to the
middle into 3 broad semi-ovate obtuse lobes; the corolla is nearly twice as long
as the calyx, and for two-thirds of its length divided into 3 oblong-cymbiform
thickly cartilaginous segments, smooth and obsoletely punctulate outside, even when
seen under a strong lens; the lower undivided third part is campanulate-ventricose
and includes the ovary; the stamens have the broadened bases of the filaments
connate with the ventricose part of the corolla, and form a rather elongate entire
collar above the throat of the corolla, becoming afterwards free, subulate
and introflexed at the apex; anthers versatile, elongate-elliptical, 5 mm. long,
equally narrowing and acute at both ends; the cells shortly disjunct at the base;
ovary ovoid, narrowing into an elongately conical style, which attains only the
base of the free part of the filaments. The mature fruit, if developed. freely, is
obpyriform or obovoid, 10--12 cm. long, and 7—9 cm. across, narrows consider-
ably to the base, is convex and slightly umbilicate on the top, and minutely
beaked ; frequently however the fruits are more or less deformed by mutual
pressure, and assume an obpyramidate shape with obtuse angles, flat faces and an
almost explanate top; the scales are in 24 vertical series, relatively small, glossy,
of a light chestnut-brown colour having the edges narrowly discoloured, and the
extreme margins obsoletely erose-toothed; they are deeply grooved along the
centre, and consequently distinctly bigibbous, have the apices short, triangular,
bluntish, and very appressed ; the intermediate scales are 9—10 mm. long, and a
little less broad. The pericarp is 5—6 mm. thick at the sides, and less above,
but its lower half is filled with spongy tissue. The seed is in the broader upper
part of the fruit, globular, about 5 cm. in diameter; its integument is 3—4 mm.
thick; the chalazal cavity is large and suborbicular, and, as usual, the albumen is
horse-shoe-shaped in vertical section; the embryo is basal.
HanrrAr.— The New Hebrides. It was first made known to Prof. Heim by
some fruits sent to the International Exhibition of Paris in 1900 as producing
a kind of vegetable ivory, fit for button making. I afterwards recognized this
species in some rather complete specimens forwarded by Mr. Perret to Prof.
Martelli, in the year 1908, gathered in New Caledonia, on a plant introduced there
from the New Hebrides. The specimens were accompanied with some not quite
mature fruits, unmistakably however, referable to the species described by Prof.
Heim. These fruits have all an obpyramidate trigonous form with very obtuse
angles. To M. Warbwrgé I confidently refer also the specimens of a plant that
flowered in the Botanic Garden at Singapore in the year 1891, which were dis-
tributed by Mr. Ridley under No. 3171. These specimens have only female
hermaphrodite flowers on the spikes, from which the male flowers have all fallen.
184 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ M. upoluense
Osservations.—It is easily distinguishable from the other known species of
Metroxylon, sectio Celococcus, by its leaves having narrow very long-acuminate
rigid leaflets, glaucous beneath ; by the glabrous appearance of the spikes ; by the
cylindraceous relatively large flowers, having the filaments of the stamens united
in their basal part with the corolla, and forming a distinet elongate collar at its
throat, before becoming free and subulate; by the ovary reaching, with the summit
of the style. only to the base of the free part of the filaments ; and especially by
the obpyriform, frequently more or less angular or obpyramidate fruit, which has the
seed in its upper part, while its lower half is filled with the spongy tissue of the
mesocarp ; and finally by the seed being covered with a relatively copious
integument, whereas this in other Ivory supplying species Celococcus is very
scanty.
PLATE: 109.—Metroxylon Warburgii Bece.—Spike-bearing branch bearing female-
hermaphrodite flowers ; leaflet from an intermediate leaf of a full-grown plant :
from the plant that flowered at Singapore, Ridley No. 3171. Fruits from Perret’s
specimens in Herb. Martelli. One of the fruits cut vertically to show the position
of the seed. See analytieal plate V—figs. 8—11 which represent the analyses of
the female flower of M. Warburgi Becc.
5. METROXYLON UPOLUENSE Becc. sp. n.
Descrtprion.—Frurt obpyriform, 33 mm. long (in one specimen) and 25 mm.
broad in its uppermost part, and thence gradually attenuate below to a narrow
base, rounded and slightly umbilicate above, and surmounted by a small muero.
Scales in 24 longitudinal series, glossy, straw-coloured and with a shade of chestnut-
brown near the margins. grooved broadly in their posticous pàrt, and narrowly and
faintly anticously ; the apices slightly produced and appressed ; the margins thin
minutely erosely-toothed. Pericarp on the whole relatively thick (4 mm.) and with
the lower third part of the fruit filled with a spongy mesocarp, the seed being in
the upper two thirds. Seed erect, not seen mature by me, but apparently of the
structure usual in Metroxylon. Other parts unknown.
HaBrrAT.—Cultivated at Upolu in Samoa ( Rechinger).
OssERvATIONS.—I have seen of this curious species only one fruit, which differs
from those of the other known species by its regularly pyriform shape, and by
its scales being arranged in 24 vertical series, a character by which it comes into
the section C'elococcus, despite its very small size. It shows, however, unmistakable
affinity to M. Warburg, from which it differs by its fruit being considerably
smaller and less spongy at the base inside.
PIATE 107.—Fig. 14. Metroxylon upoluense Becc.— The fruit collected by
Rechinger, and representing the type of the species. à
Latin Draewosm.—Metroxylon upoluense Becc. Sp. nov. Fructibus parvis obpyri-
formibus in vertice umbilicatis et minute mucronatis, basi attenuatis, pericarpio in
tertia inferiori parte pleno et spongioso ; squamarum orthostichis 24.
M. vitiense] METROXYLON. 185
6. MEerRoxyLon viriense Benth. et Hook. Gen. Pl. iii, 934; Drake del Cast
Illustr. Fl. Ins. Pacif. viii, 323. -
Celococcus vitiensis H. Wendl. in Bonpl. 1862, 199; Warb. in Berich.
Deut. Bot. Gesell. xiv, (1896) 141, pl. X, f. 12.
Sagus vitiensis H. Wendl. in Seem. Fl. Vit. 279, t. 80 and in Appendix
to Seeman's © Viti”, 444.
Description.—A large palm of the habit of a common Sago, tree, specially when
young, attaining 12—15 m. in height at the age of bearing, crowned by about
16 very large erecto-patent living leaves, besides a' few (5—6) withered and
hanging below them ; the oldest leaves fall to the ground and leave the trunk
(which is 30—40 em. in diameter) marked by approximate ring-like scars, and beset
with spinescent adventitious ascendent rootlets, 12—25 mm. long. From the middle
of the crown rises an immense inflorescence. After fructification the plant dies, as
the trunk does not produce shoots from its base. The leaves are about 5 m. long;
the petiole is armed in its lower part with complete rings of large confluent
chestnut-brown spines, 4—7':5 cm. long; higher up the spines are in semicircular
rows. The leaflets are (apparently) equidistant on the rhachis, but not all on one
plane ; one leaflet seen by me,—probably from the intermediate part of the leaf of
an adult plant is lanceolate-ensiform, 1:30 m. long, and 9 em. broad at its middle,
very gradually acuminate to a long slender tip, rigid-papyraceous, but with the
apex flaccid and recurved; it is green and glossy on both surfaces, very slightly
paler beneath, the mid-costa is very strong, very prominent, acute and quite
smooth on the upper surface, superficially or slightly marked by a shallow furrow
and devoid of scales or paleole underneath ; the blade looks more or less distinctly
plicate along 4 secondary nerves on each side of the mid-costa, two of the plice
being apparent on the upper and two on the lower surface; tertiary nerves very
numerous ; transverse veinlets sharp and very close together; the margins sharp and
smooth. In a leaf from a very young plant, the petiole is armed with slender
spines, and the leaflets have the margins ciliate-spinulous, and the mid-costa sparsely
spinulous in the upper surface from the middle up to the apex. The inflorescence
is very large, forming a great diffuse panicle, 3:5 m. and more high, rising erect from
the middle of the crown at the end of the life of the plant; it is twice branched
as it has a straight erect main axis, divided into 20 or more primary erecto-patent
branches, 25 m. and more long, which are divided again into secondary, or
spike-bearing branches; these are similar to those of the common Sago palms, are
slightly zig-zag sinuous, and carry distichall and alternately on each side a few
spikes (4 in the specimen seen by me); their spathes are elongate infundibuliform
and attenuate to a rather narrow base, are coriaceous and unarmed, have a very
oblique mouth and are produced at one side into an acuminate blade, have
strongly villose margins at the base, but are otherwise glabrous. The spikes
have the pedicellar part villose at the margins on the axial side; while still young
and the flowers are still concealed by the spathels, the spikes have a squarrose
appearance. and are chestnut-brown coloured, are 8—10 cm. long, apiculate, and
12—13 mm. in diameter; the spathels terminate in a triangular acute point and
are strongly striately veined. Flower buds obovoid-oblong, obtuse, tapering below
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
186 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. vitiense
(5—6 mm. long in the specimens seen by me, but are perhaps larger when full
grown); the calyx cyathiform, smooth, with 3 broad rounded lobes ; the wool is not
produced beyond the spathels even during the anthesis. Fruit globular or globular
ovoid, having a rounded (not hollowed) base, and narrowing a little above, or very
broadly conical in their upper part and minutely mucronulate at the apex; they
are 5'5—6:'5 cm. long, and 45—6 cm. broad; scales in about. 28 longitudinal
series, glossy, uniformly straw-coloured and narrowly discoloured on the edges,
rather deeply and narrowly grooved along the centre, broader than long, the largest
10—11 mm. broad in the exposed part; are prolonged into a short bluntish point,
their extreme margins are erose-toothed. Pericarp 4—5 mm. thick on the whole at
the sides; the mesocarp corky. Seed globose, erect, the hilum exactly basal,
orbicular ; integument thin and adherent at the sides of the nucleus, but thick
above; the nucleus alone slightly depressed, 4 cm. high, and 27—28 mm. across ;
it has a large and deep orbicular chalazal cavity, 12—15 mm. in diameter, slightly
restrained at the mouth; the albumen is ivory-like, horse-shoe-shaped in vertical
section,’ with walls 10—12 mm. thick. Embryo exactly basal, its position visible
outside, being immersed in a pit-like depression, 5 mm. wide; the embryo cavity is
ovate-conical, 6 mm. deep. ` :
Hasirat.—The Fiji Islands. It grows in swampy places in Viti Levu, Vanua
Levu, and Ovalau; but is not found in Kadavu, the southern Island of the group
(Seemann). It is said that a Sago Palm, supposed identical with M. vitiense, was
observed. by Dr. Bennett in Ratuma, one of the smaller islands of the group.
Native name in Fiji “Sagu” (pronounced ‘ Songa ”).- The nuts furnish a kind
of vegetable ivory, but are much less valued than those of M. amicarum and
M. salomonense on account of their considerably smaller size.
OssERVATIONS.—] have seen portions of Seemann’s type specimens in the
Herbarium at Berlin, and have based the description of the general habit of the
palm on the original letter of Seemann to H. Wendland which is attached to
those specimens. I have taken advantage also of some photographs taken in Fiji
by Miss L. Gibbs. I purchased the fruits from a seed merchant. M. vitiense is
. the type upon which H. Wendland established the genus Celococcus; but in fact
it does not differ from the common Metroxylons except in having a greater number
ót scales on the pericarp. The inflorescence of M. vitiense also slightly differs from
that of M. Rumphü and M. Sagus in having a main elongate axis, from which the
primary divisions start; whereas in M. Rumphii and allied species, the main axis
of the inflorescenée appears much abbreviated, and the primary branches spring
from the axillas of the uppermost approximate leaves.
The species is particularly characterized by the form of the inflorescence, and.
by the globular-ovoid fruit with broadly conical apex and rounded base.
PLare 110.—Metroxylon vitiense Benth. et Hook. f.—One of the secondary or
spike-bearing branches with very young flowers, just appearing outside the spathels ;
one leaflet of an adult plant from Seemann’s specimens in the Herbarium at
Berlin. Fruits (purchased); one cut vertically and with the seed entire in situ ;
others entire, and one. having the seed cut vertically through the embryo; a
vertical section of an isolated seed. ©
f
=
M. amicarum | METROXYLON. 187
7. METROXYLON AMICARUM Becc.
Sagus amicarum Wendl. in Bot. Zeit, 1878, 115.
Ceelococcus amicarum Warb. in Berich. Deut. Bot. Gesell. xiv (1896), 140;
W. F. Wight ex Safford, Useful Pl. of Guam in Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 9
(1905), 244, pls. 45—46; Merrill, Enum. Pl. of Guam in Philipp. Journ Se. ix,
(Botany), 1914, 63.
C. carolinensis Dingl. in Bot. Centralbl. xxxii (1877), 347; Schum. and
Lauterbach, Fl. Deut. Schutzg. in der Südsee, 1901 (Nach.), 606; Volkens
in Engl. Bot. Jahrb xxxi, 419.
Metrorylon carolinense Becc. in Denkschriften der K. Akad. d. Wissensch. .
Math. Naturw. Klas. 4, Wien, lxxxix (1913), 60, f; 5 a, 5d.
Description.—A large palm of the usual habit of the common Sago trees, but
with solitary non-proliferous trunk, 6—8 m. high, columnar and said to be spinescent
(Kersting), crowned by 10—20 leaves, and covered with the bases of the old ones.
The leaves are about 6 m. long, of which the lower third part is formed by -the
petidle (Volkens); it is. not stated if the bases of the leaves and the petioles are
smooth or spinescent. The Jleaflets are numerous, linear or. lanceolate-ensiform,
unicostate, straight, very acuminate, green and shiny on both surfaces, with smooth
margins and mid-costa, except for a few spinules occasionally near the apex above
on the mid-costa. The. inflorescence is terminal, but apparently it is not so high as
in M. Rumphii, M. Sagus, M. vitiense, ete., but is equally composed of several partial
spadices, each of which issues from the axilla of one of the uppermost leaves. The
leaves evidently persist on the plant to complete maturity of the fruits, which hang
in clusters from among the leaves, the branches of the spadix not being able to
stand erect, obviously from the great weight of the fruits; otherwise’ the infiores-
cence is terminal and has exactly the same structure as that of M. Rumphit,
M. Sagus, etc., and as in those, its main divisions are composed of several spike-
bearing branches. The spikes and the flowers are extremely like those of the
common Metroxylons, and have like those the flowers in pairs, one being male
and the other female-hermaphrodite; both are accompanied by the usual special
bracteoles, although the latter are not very wooly and consequently the spikes have
not a tomentose appearance. The fruit is very large, but very variable in size and
has the usual structure of all Metrorylons, only its pericarp. is clothed with more
numerous scales, arranged in 24—28 vertical series instead of 18, as is the rule in
all the species of the section Humetroxylon. The seed 1s also exactly the same,
has a large chalazal cavity in its upper part, an orbicular basilar hilum, an ivory-
like albumen, horse-shoe-shaped in vertical section, and the embryo in proximity
to the hilum. du ee db
Hapirat.—It was at first supposed that the native country of M. amicarum
was Tahiti (the Friendly Islands), and in this belief it received such an inappro-
priate specific name, which, however, cannot now be changed. Its true native country
is the Caroline group, and it is from those Islands, and especially from Panape
that the seeds are exported to Germany. Volkens writes that he met with it in, both
the Truk Islands, belonging to the group. The plant receives the name of ‘ Ivorynut-
Palm," and the seeds are known as “Tahiti nuts ' “Polynesian Ivory-nuts.
" Sudsee-Steinnusse,”’ etc.
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA; VoL. XII.
188 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. amicarum
OssERvATIONs.— The seeds of M. amicarum have a very hard albumen, of an
ivory-like structure and colour, and are one of the sources of the vegetable ivory
used for button making, affording a good substitute to that afforded by the seeds
of Phytelephas. On the structure and anatomy of the vegetable ivory produced by
Metroxylon amicarum the following works may be consulted with advantage :—F.
Hanausek: “The Microscopy of Technical Products (1907). The Polynesian Ivory-
nut, p. 414, f. 249." By the same author * Zeitschr. allg. Osterr. Apoth. Ver., 1880,
XIII, 360." Idem: "Zur Anatomie der Tahitinuss. Zeitschr, Unters. Hyg., 1893, VII,
197^ Idem: “ Realenzyklopadie d. ges. Pharm. 1 Aufl. IX., 590."
I have based the description of the general appearance of the inflorescence on
a sketch of the fruiting plant kindly forwarded to me by Mr. P. Nelson of the
“Guam Agricultural Experiment Station,” but it was not stated if the plant
perishes after fructification, as I think it must. In a note by Dr. Kersting attached
to a specimen of the variety majus hereafter described, gathered by his collector
Mr. Gibbon, when Dr. Kersting was General Commissioner of the Caroline, Mari-
anne and Patan Islands, it is stated that the natives distinguish some varieties of
the Ivory-nut Palm according to the length and breadth of the leaflets, but not
by the form and size of the fruit. Dr. Kersting adds that he has not been able
to distinguish such varieties. From the specimens I have been able to examine it
has, however, appeared to me to be evident that some appreciable differences do
exist among them, and accordingly I think that two principal varieties of M.
amicarum may be distinguished, probably, however, connected by intermediate
forms. In fact it is to be expected that some not perfectly identical forms of
Ivory-nut Palm are growing in the different Islands composing the group of the
Carolines, and that the varieties may have been once strictly localized; but now
that this palm is planted for its nuts, certainly more than one variety may be
encountered growing mixed in Panape.
If the differences in the breadth of the leaflets observable between Ledermann’s
No. 13409 and Gibbon’s No. 1189 hereafter mentioned were constant, it would
make one credit the opinion of the natives, that some varieties of Ivory-nut Palm
can be distinguished by the size of the leaflets. At present I think that the two
forms recognized by me may be characterized as follows :—
a var. COMMUNE.— Leaflets 6 cm. broad (the intermediate ones from a full grown
piant?) Spikes (with fully developed flower buds) 22 mm. in diameter. Flowers
8—85 mm. long, 3:5—4 mm. across. Fruit slightly broader than high, 8—9 em. in
diameter. Seed 6'5 cm. in diameter.
b var. MaJUs.— Leaflets (as above) 10 em. broad. Spikes (as above) 35 cm. in
diameter. Flowers 12 mm. long, 5'6 mm. across. Fruit slightly longer than broad,
11—13 cm. high, 10°5—12 cm. in diameter. Seed 8—3 cm. in diameter.
As regards the given measurements of the leaflets, it has to be borne in mind
that in herbarium specimens only a very small portion of the leaves and frequently
only a few leaflets are available for study; that the leaves vary in size according
to the age of the plant and on the same plant according to the place they occupy
along the stem, and that in the same leaf the intermediate leaflets are usually larger
than those of both ends. Generally the uppermost leaves, and, especially those
M. amicarum] METROXYLON. 189
immediately below the inflorescence, are smaller and have smaller pene than those
of vigorous and middle-aged plants.
Ta. METROXYLON AMICARUM var. COMMUNE Becc.
DzscRiPTION.—A large palm of the habit of M. Rumphii and allied species, 6—8
m. high, and producing a terminal definite inflorescence (Ledermann). Leaves very
large ; in a small portion seen by me (Ledermann's No. 13409 in Berlin Her-
barium), apparently cut from the upper third part of the leaf, the rhachis is
marked by very minute impressed dots, is totally unarmed, and obsoletely angular
along the dorsum; the leaflets (in that portion of rhachis) are inserted at an angle
of about 45°, apparently not disposed all on one plane, and not exactly equidistant,
but slightly approximate in pairs on each side of the rhachis, linear-ensiform, very
long-acuminate to a rather stiff apex, l'05m. long, 6 cm. wide (or at times
more ?), rigid-papyraceous, equally green and glossy on both surfaces or, perhaps,
of a deeper green on the lower which is glabrous, and devoid of dots or micro-
lepidia; the mid-costa in the upper surface is very strong, prominent, acute and
smooth, and is provided, but only near the apex, with a few distant spinules ;
on the lower surface the mid-costa is superficial, or is represented by a shallow
furrow and is devoid of paleole, unless these are very early deciduous ; the entire,
blade looks plicate somewhat irregularly along the secondary nerves (3—4 on each
side of the mid-costa) and has several other unequal and not regularly spaced
secondary nerves, barely distinguishable from the numerous tertiary ones ; transverse
veinlets numerous, and approximate; margins very sharp and smooth. The inflores-
cence is terminal, 1°5 m. high, 4—5 m. wide (Ledermann), apparently composed of
several partial spadices or inflorescences, issuing from the axils of the uppermost
leaves. The portion of spadix seen by me reveals a general structure identical
with that of the common kinds of Sago Palms; the branches carry distichally and
alternately a few amentiform spikes exactly as in M. Rumphi and M. Sagus; the
spathes sheathing the axis of the branches are also similar, tubular-infundibuliform,
coriaceous, unarmed, very obliquely truncate at the mouth and produced at one side
into an acuminate limb, dry and deflexed under the base of their respective spathes
concave, and with the margins acute and woolly in the part that remains in contact
with the pedicel of the underlying spike; in young spadices the spathes of the
branches are covered, especially above, with small appressed scales, later they are
glabrous, and distinctly striately veined. The spikes, at the flowering time, are slightly
curved upwards, 15—16 cm. long, and 15 mm. in diameter, exclusive of the flowers,
and 22 mm. when covered with full grown flower buds; the pedicellar part is com-
pletely concealed by ihe. respective spathes and is attached nearly to the bottom of
them; its axial side is flat and the acute margins woolly-paleaceous ; the special
spathe of the pedicellar part is bifid at the apex, and embraces the base of the
spikes. The spathels (bracts of the spikes) are rigid-membranous, chestnut-brown,
and, as in M. Rumphîw, three of them are to be seen at the same time in a trans-
verse section of the spike; these are more or less connate by their margins,
have only the apices free, triangular, and rather acute, are provided with palea-
ceous, later deciduous, hairs on the margins and are finely striately veined and glab-
rous, except for a few appressed scales near the apex. The flowers are very
190 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. amicarum
crowded in gentle spirals, at times somewhat irregularly; inside the spathes every
pair of flowers is enveloped by a bracteole formed by two united together, thinly
membranous, brown and provided on both sides with a dense faleate tuft of palea-
eeous hairs; the female hermaphrodite flower has its bracteole membranous, two-
keeled on the side of the male flower (which it embraces also) and hairy palea-
ceous on the keels; the second bracteole of the female flower is almost entirely
reduced to a tuft of hairs. The full grown buds of the female—hermaphrodite flower;
just before their opening, project with the entire length of the corolla above the
spathels, are oblong, very obtuse, very obsoletely trigonous, 8—8'5 mm. long, 3:54 mm.
across ; the calyx is cyathiform, slightly tapering below, faintly striately veined, shortly
3-lobed, the lobes rounded; the corolla is a little less than twice as long as the
calyx, is deeply parted into three oblong cymbiform, coriaceous segments, and has a
short, entire, campanulate base. The stamens form with their united bases a
campanulate cup, connate with the base of the corolla, and very shortly free above
itsthroat; in the ‘free part the filaments are elongate, thickish, with the apices
truncate, but ending in a very minute introflexed apiculum, to which are attached
the anthers a little above the middle of their dorsum. The anthers are elongate-
elliptical, acute with parallel but somewhat irregular cells, 5—6 mm. long and
deeply disjunct at the base. The. female—hermaphrodite flowers have the ovary
ovoid, narrowing above to an elongate, gradually acuminate, rigid, trigonous and
3-suleate style, which with its acute stigmas attains to the apices of the anthers
which at the time of the authesis are filed with pollen (active?) and are
identical with those of the male flowers. The male flowers differ from the female
ones only in the absence of íhe ovary, which is represented by three very small
bodies, resting on the bottom of the staminal cup. Fruit globose, pomiform, usually
slightly broader than high, 8—9 cm. ‘in diameter, the base not hollowed, indeed
slightly prominent, and obsoletely gibbous-costulate, broadly umbilicate and with a
very small central conical mucro on the top; at times the entire periphery of the
fruit is very obscurely 6-costulate longitudinally ; scales shiny in 24—28 vertical series,
the largest slightly broader than long (15 mm. long, 17 mm. broad), rather
suddenly contracted into a slightly produced, appressed, acute or bluntish point,
convex, faintly concentrically striate across, deeply grooved along the middle, the
grooves continuous on all the scales of the same vertical series, reddish or yellowish
brown blending to a darker marginal line; the margins narrowly discoloured and very
minutely erosely-toothed. Seed globose, 6'5 cm. in diameter (in one specimen); its
integument thin (not fleshy) and very adherent all round, except in correspondence
with the chalaza, where it is thick and corky (when dry) and penetrates into the
upper cavity of the albumen; the cavity is large, orbicular, 2'5 cm. in diameter
. and is slightly narrowed at the mouth ; at the base the seed has a small depres-
sion corresponding to the place occupied by the embryo; the albumen is bony,
white, homogenous, horse-shoe-shaped in vertical section, and has the walls
18—20 mm. thick. The largest of Ledermann's fruits weighs"175 grammes and the
nut alone 110 grammes.
HanBrrAT.—The specimens I have described, consisting of portions of the leaves,
flowers and fruits, were collected by Dr. C. Ledermann on the 8th October, 1913,
in Panape, in the Eastern Carolines at Naupon mal (Patapat), between 2—300 m.
M. anicarum | METROXYLON. 191
elevation, in damp and swampy places in a “bush” composed principally of
Hibiscus tiliaceus, arborescent Ferns, Pandanus, etc. (Ledermann No. 13409 in Berlin
Herbarium).
PLatE 111.—Metroxylon amicarum VAR. commune Becc.—Ledermann's specimen
No. 13409 in the Herbarium at Berlin. Intermediate portion of a leaf, branch of the
spadix bearing spikes having lost almost all their flowers; detached spike with
some of the flowers on; fruit, seen from above, and seed, cut vertically through
the embryo, also belonging to No. 13409.
£e
In plate 113 are represented three other fruits, one of which is seen from the
base, one from above and one laterally ; one seed is cut vertically. All are from
Ledermann's specimens.
In analytical plate V, figs. 1—7 represent the analyses of the flowers of Metroxy-
lon amicarum commune. See the description of that plate.
Tb. METROXYLON AMICARUM var. MAJUS Decc.
DrscniPTION.—À detached leaflet is lanceolate-ensiform, 1°27 m. long, 10. em. broad
at its middle, is very gradually acuminate above to a regular subulate point, and
has, completely smooth margins and nerves. The spadices are larger than in variety
commune, have the spathes more coriaceous and more elongate, and the spikes also
considerably larger than in that variety, 14—16 cm. long, and when covered with full
grown flower buds 3°5 em. in diameter but exclusive of the flowers 2 cm. The
flowers are also nearly one-third larger than those of the other variety, measuring
19 mm. in length and 5—6 mm. across; the anthers are 6 mm. long, so that, in
proportion to the size of the flowers, are smaller than in variety commune. Two
fruits (which, apparently, are those of the plant with large flowers and broad
leaflets described above) are exceptionally large, 13 cm. high. 12 cm. in diameter
and therefore slightly higher than broad, are obsoletely 6-costulate along the sides,
narrow a little in their lower part and are slightly gibbous at the base; their
upper part is rounded, but distinctly umbilicate at the apex which terminates in
a small conical central beak; the pericarp is 5—6 mm. thick at the sides, slightly
more above and at the base; the scales chestnut-brown are darker than in the fruits
of the variety commune, and are disposed in 28 series; the largest scales are 2'5
cm. broad. One entire fruit weighs 390 grammes. and another 370. The nut is
globose, 9 cm. in diameter, and weighs 260 grammes; itis slightly asymmetrical on
the side of the chalaza, and ppposite to it has a rather circular hollow, in which
is placed the embryo.
i
HaBITrAT.—The description above is based upon specimens gathered by Dr. Kersting’s
collector, Mr. Gibbon (No. 1189 in the Berlin Hama) at Polonier in Panape and
probably are from a cultivated plant.
Native name “Oj” (“ Osch” in German Coe The fruits were in the
collection of Dr. Kersting, and Dr. Ledermann informs me that they were chosen
from amongst some thousands, and represent the extreme size they may attain.
192 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [M. salomonense
OpsERVATIONS.—Referable to the variety majus are also, apparently, some speci.
mens gathered from plants cultivated in the Island of Guam, procured for me by the
friendly assistance of Mr. Merrill of the Manila Botanical Establishment ; these
specimens are exactly identical with those of Panape, except that leaflets, flowers
and fruit are a little smaller. The leaflets are 8°5 cm. broad. The spikes, covered
with flower buds but not fully grown, are 15—16 cm. long and measure 20—21 mm.
in diameter or considerably less than those of variety majus, but more than those with
full grown buds of variety commune; but in great measure the size of the spikes
depends on the age of the flowers. One fruit from the same source is also very
similar to those of variety majus, but is somewhat smaller although considerably
larger than those of the variety commune; it is also a little higher than broad
obsoletely 6-costulate, narrows a little in its lower part, has basal gibbosities and
is 11 em. high and 10°5 cm. in diameter. The pericarp is thicker than in Gibbon’s
specimens, measuring 1 cm. at the sides and 15 mm. above and at the base. The
seed is 82 mm. in diameter; the chalazal cavity is 32 mm. in diameter and slightly
narrows at the mouth; the walls of the albumen are 20—22 mm. thick. The entire
fruit weighs 280 grammes and the nut alone 185. From the plant growing in
Guam Mr. Nelson sent to me a sketch representing the fruiting plant, with its
leaves still standing erect, and the bunches of the heavy fruits hanging among
them.
PLatE 112.—Metroxylon amicarum var. majus Becc.—Branch of the spadix with
spikes bearing fully developed flowers; two separate spikes with flower buds at
different degrees of development ; an entire leaflet. From Gibbon's No. 1189 in the
Herbarium at Berlin. i
Pirate 113.—Metroxylon amiearum Zecc.— The large fruit (entire) and the fruit
in vertical section, with the seed zm situ, and also entire, in the upper part of the
plate, belong to the variety marus (Berlin Herbarium). |
The fruit cut through the pericarp and the seed is from Guam, and is also con-
sidered as belonging to variety majus. ‘The three entire fruits in different positions,
and the seed in vertical section, in the lower part of the plate, are from Leder-
mann's collection and are referable to variety commune.
8. METROXYLON SALOMONENSE Becc. in Kechinger Bot. u. Zool. Ergebnisse,
ete., in Denkschriften der K. Akad. d. Wissensch. Math. Naturw. Klasse, Wien,
Ixxxix (1913) 60, 61, f. 55. 5e, 5f, bi and p. 62 f
Calococcus salomonensis.—W arb. in Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Ges. (1896), 141; Schum
and Lauterb. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzg., 1901 (Nachr.), 606.
Sagus sp. . . Guppy. The Solomon Islands, 83, 90, 303.
Description.—A large palm, 20m. and more high (Guppy), apparently non-
soboliferous, producing a large terminal inflorescence. The fruit is globose, slightly
depressed, 6 cm. high, 7 cm. in diameter, the apex slightly umbilicate and minutely
beaked, the base obtuse and not excavate; the walls of the pericarp are 5—6 mm.
thick at the sides; scales in 27 vertical series, 12 mm. broad in the exposed part,
somewhat produced into a triangular acuminate apex, glossy, straw-coloured, having
a narrow intramarginal dark line, and the margins and tips discoloured or greyish,
M. bougainvillense] METROXYLON. 193
rather broadly grooved along the centre in the posticous part, and more narrowly
anticously. Seed globular, somewhat depressed, 4°5—5 cm. high, 5:5—5'7 em. broad:
obsoletely sulcate longitudinally ; the chalazal cavity deep and orbicular inside, but
the mouth somewhat narrowed ; the embryo is placed in a deep pit-like basal cavity ;
the albumen is crescent shaped in vertical section, its sides 2 cm. thick in their
broadest part; the embryo is large, 6 mm. in diameier at the base and about 1
em. long. Other parts unknown.
Hasrrat.—The Solomon Islands. Guppy writes of it that it grows in St. Chris-
torval in dry situations, and that in Fauro and Treasury Islands groves of ib occur
both on the lower slopes and in the higher districts, on the summit of Treasury, at
a height of about 300 m., and in Fauro at 450 m. It furnishes not only a com-
mercial kind of vegetable ivory-nut, but supplies the natives with the Sago flour,
whieh is an important item of their dietary, while the leaves are used for the
roofs and walls of their houses. Regarding this palm Guppy writes also: “I often
used to admire its heavy bole, terminating above in its handsome crown of massive
branches. Although this palm when full grown has the appearance of great age
and durability, it does not live more than 20 years, when it flowers, bears and:
dies. Native names ‘Bia’ and 'Nami'."
To M. salomonense, as described and figured by Warburg, exactly corresponds
one fruit colleeted by Rechinger in the year 1905 near Friedrieh Wilhelm's Hafen
in German New Guinea (this is the fruit figured in Rechingers work and by me
in Plate 114). A fruit quite identieal with the preceding is one bearing the No. 123
in the Berlin Herbarium, collected by Missionary Peekel at Namatanai near
Herbertshóhe, in Neu-Pommern (New Britain).
OnsERvATIONS.— This species is characterized by the apple-like fruit, not excavate
at the base, and having its rather lengthy scales produced into a discoloured apex,
and by the seed having the chalazal cavity which deeply penetrates the albumen,
orbieular, and with a restricted opening.
PraArE 114.—Metroxylon salomonense Bece. (The four figures in the upper part of
the plate.)— Upper, lower and side views of the fruit collected by Rechinger in
New Guinea; the same fruit in transverse section, having, however, the seed entire
and in situ. See also the vertical section of the seed in the anatytical plate VI,
f. 16, under the erroneous name of M. su moense.
È 9. METROXYLON BOUGAINVILLENSE Bece. in Denksehriften der «K. Akad,
Wissensch Math. Naturw. Klasse, Wien lxxxix (1913), 60, f. 5e, 61 f. 5g, 5h, 57
and 62.
* DzrscRiPTION.— Probably very similar in habit to M. salomonense, but with smaller
fruits. One leaflet, apparently from a full grown plant, is elongate-lanceolate, 95 cm.
in length, 10 em. broad in its broadest part (about the middle), and thence gradually
narrowing downwards to a rather acute base, and upwards to a very gradually
acuminate apex; it is papyraceous, almost equally green on both surfaces, glossy
above; the mid-costa is on the upper surface very strong, prominent and spinulous-
serrulate from the middle upwards; underneath it is smooth and superficial;
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
194 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ M. bougainvillense
secondary nerves 4—5 on each side of the mid-costa, not much stronger than the
numerous tertiary ones; transverse veinlets very slender and approximate, more
distinct above than underneath; margins acute, very minutely ciliate-spinulous.
Some fragments of leaflets presumed to belong to this species, which apparently
had been used for thatching or for the walls of a house, are extraordinarily
large, being 19 em. wide at their middle, and probably attaining the length of.
about 2 m. These leaflets of such a large size were probably’ from young
and very vigorous plants. The only fruit seen by me is globular-depressed
pomiform, conspicuously depressed-umbilicate above. somewhat exdavate at the base
3:5—4 cm. high, 5'5 cm. broad ; scales in 27 vertical series, the largest 9—10 mm.
broad in the exposed part, somewhat produced into a triangular acuminate apex,
glossy, straw-coloured, having a faint narrow darker intramargina! line and the
margins and tips discoloured or grayish; also they are rather broadly grooved along
the centre in the postieous part, and narrowly anticously. The pericarp is 10—
19 mm. thick; mad the seed is 2°5 cm. in diameter.
*
Hazitat.—The leaflet and the fruit representing the tyje of this. species were
scollected by Dr. Rechinger, in 1905, at Taberoi in Bougainville Island, and bear the
No. 4878 in the Vienna Herbarium. The large fragmentary leaflets supposed to
belong to the same species as No. 4878, bear the locality “ Insel, Bougainville,
.Bueht von Kieta."
OssERvATIONS.— Very similar to M. salomonense, and perhaps only a variety of it.
from which, however, it differs in its smaller. more depressed fruit with the base
excavate, and the mesocarp considerably thicker, and in having a smaller seed.
The greyish colour of the margins of the scales in M. bougainvillense and
M. salomonense is apparently due to a thin coating of a siliceous secretion, which
flakes off in thin hyaline plates or lamellae.
Plate 114.—Metroxylon bougainvillense Becc. (The 4 figures in the lower part of
the plate). Upper, lower and side view of a fruit collected by Rechinger in Bougain-
ville Island ; the same fruit in transverse section,’ with the seed (not thoroughly
mature) entire and in situ. A vertical section of this seed is represented in fig.
17 in analytical plate VI. i
` EXCLUDED SPECIES.
. Metroxylon oxybracteatum Warb. ss ined. ex K. Schum. et _Lauterb. FI.
Deut. Schutz. Geb. (1901) p. 202.
I have seen the authentic specimen, of this in the Berlin Hebarium where it
is represented by only a spike, which apparently, is not that of a nie nor
of any other Palm.
Metroxylon textile Welw. Apont. (1858) 554—Raphia textilis Welw. +
Metroxylon Ruffia Spreng. Syst. Veget. ii, 139.—Raphia Ruttia ' Mart.
Metroxylon viniferum Spreng. Syst. Veget. ii, 139 No. 2.—haphia vinifera Palis de
uv.
UN
E
eo
Qt
x.
4
METROXYLON.
EXCLUDED SPECIES UNDER THE GENERIC NAME OF SAGUS.
Sagus farinifera Gaertn.—Raphia Ruffia Mart.
laews Grifi. Palms Brit. Ind. only as to the plate CLXXXII—Raphia
Ruffia Mart. i j
Palma-Pinus Gaertn.—Raphia Gaertneri Mann & Wendl.
pedunculata Lam.—Raphia Ruffia Mart. (pedunculata.)
Rufia Jacq.—Raphia Ruffia Mart.
Rufia var B Willd.—Raphia vinifera Pal. de Beauv.
taedigera Mart.—Raphia taedigera M art.
vinifera Lam.—Raphia Gaertneri Mann & Wendl.
7?
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, Vor. AXE.
196 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA [ Eugeissona.
SPURIOUS LEPIDOCARYEAE.
EUGEISSONA acnirr,
Griff. in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 101 cum ic., and Palms Brit. Ind. 109 and
App. AAU, t. 220, 220 A. B. C.; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. on 212, 243, t. 179, 180 ;
Miq. Fl. Ind. Bat. nm, 77; Becc. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. It. iii, 18, and Malesia, iii, 58,
and in Webbia iv, (1913) 190, f. 8. 10 ; Benth. et Hu. L Gem Plant, ni, 934
(Eugeissonia); Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. vi, 480; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal. Penins. ii, 171.
Arboreous or short stemmed and caespitose monocarpic palms. Leaves elongate
pinnate, having a broad elongate spinous base clasping the stem ; the petiole very
elongate, more or less spinous, channelled at the base, terete or obtusely trigonous
above; the leaflets straight, unicostate, narrow, very acuminate, more or less bristly
on the mid-costa above. Zmnfloresence terminal, elongate, cupressiform or narrowly
panicled, composed of several primary branches drawn together and more or less
divided again, the ultimate divisions bearing solitary fascieled or secund flowers.
Primary spathes coriaceous, tubular, closely sheathing ; the lower ones often long-
acuminate or caudate, spinous or smooth ; spathes of the branches tubular-infundi-
buliform, truncate ; a certain number of small spathes or spathels envelop the
flowers, are coriaceous and imbricating, and form a kind of anthodium ; the last
spathel of the anthodium is usually two-keeled or two-winged on its back, its wings
protecting a serotinous or abortive flower, or else only the rudiment of the pro-
Jongation of the axis. The flowers are large, of a very hard, coriaceous or almost
woody, not perishable structure, hermaphrodite, but dichogamous and proterandrous,
opening successively, and being of long physiological duration; at first they seem
to be only male, having perfectly evolute stamens and a very small, almost rudi-
mentary ovary ; later, however, the same flower loses the anthers, and the ovary
gradually developes, while only the filaments of the stamens remain in tufts at the
base of the divisions of the corolla. (It may be that at times some flowers have
not even a rudiment cf an ovary, but apparently a flower having the ovary in-
course of development is never found without the remains of the stamens) The
calyx is tubular-campanulate, more or less 3-lobed at the mouth, membranous-char-
taceous or pergamentaceous. The corolla is very elongate and narrow, and has the
apex acute and pungent ; it is much longer than the calyx, is entire, tubular, of
a thin and fleshy structure at its base only, in the part that remains inclosed in the
calyx ; in the remainder it is divided into 3 very elongate, thick, coriaceous or
woody acuminate segments. Stamens numerous, from 24 to about 70, divided: into 3
groups, one at the base of each of the 3 divisions of the corolla ; filaments filiform,
persistent ; anthers deciduous, very elongate and narrow, attached by the base; the
cells parallel ; pollen violaceous. Ovary oblong, developing after the fall of the
anthers, clothed with scales, incompletely 3-locular, the dissepiments not reaching to
the centre ; the loculi placed in the lowest and only fleshy part of the ovary, the
upper part being coarsely fibrous and woody ; ovules 3, erect from the base of the
loculus ; style very shori, hard, 3-cleft at apex, the divisions connivent, stigmatose
on the inner faces (Grifl. or perhaps never spreading and stigmatose on the papillose
angles of the trigonous style. Fruit large, ovoid, of a very hard structure,
clothed with innumerable very small scales, and terminated by the persistent
unchanged style. Pericarp on the whole rather thick, its mesocarp formed hy coarse
EUGEISSONA. 197
fibres running longitudinally through a spongy or corky tissue ; endocarp very hard,
woody or almost bony, having at its base a not exactly defined opening . which is
encirled by a crown of very coarse fibres. The endocarpal cavity is divided
inside, very regularly, by 6—12 incomplete dissepiments, 3 of which reach nearly
to the centre of the only seed it contains, and the others alternately remain shorter.
Seed large, filling completely the endocarpal cavity, moulded to it and marked by
as many furrows as there are dissepiments, the depth of the furrows correspond-
ing to the length of the dissepiments. Albumen homogeneous, bony, often fissured
in the centre. Embryo basal.
In a paper published in Martellis “ Webbia” iv, Lc. (Le Palme del
Genere Zugeissona sono delle Lepidocaryeae o piultosto delle Cocotneae?) I have
remarked that the systematic position at present assigned to Eugeissonas amongst
the Lepidocaryeae is inappropriate, and that they are more closely related to the
Cocoineae than to any other group of palms. In fact, with the exception of the
scaly pericarp, the Zugeíssonas have no other character in common with the
Lepidocaryeae, as no other genus of this tribe has such inflorescence and flowers,
and especially a fruit with the endocarp woody and pervious at its base. I think
therefore that the Jugerssonas constitute an isolated group of palms, intermediate
between the .Lepidocaryeae and the Cocotneae, and that in any case they represent
a subtribe of the latter.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.— The species of Zugeíssona known at present are
only 6, and. with the exception of Æ. tristis, which is endemic in the Malay
Peninsula, all are Bornean. In Borneo itself the species appear rather localized,
E. minor however being an exception, as it was found in the extreme west of
the island as well as in the north-west, but as Æ. minor is a species growing
in swamps, it may have had its fruits dispersed by floods. The other species,
however. grow in dry ground and especially on mountains (E. insignis in Sarawak),
and having very hard and heavy fruits, it i$ not easy to understand how they
have been dispersed, unless by the agency of terrestrial rodents. E. utilis is
apparently relatively widespread in Borneo probably through the agency of man
as it is a useful plant, from which a good sort of Sago flour is obtained, and
accordingly receives a kind of rudimentary cultivation from some, tribes of the
interior of Borneo. (Beecari Nelle foreste di Borneo, p. 415, and b duc in the
Great Forests of Borneo, p. 307.)
The species at' present known, although much the same in habit and structure
of flowers and fruits, nevertheless offer precise and easily appreciable diagnostic
characters. Owing to the great localization of the species, probably several others
remain to be discovered in Borneo.
: EUGEISSONA.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
À.—Fruit divided internally by 6 incomplete dissepiments—
I. Almost stemless and caespitose.
Flowers 5 cm. long, style acutely trigonous, 2 mm. long.
f. E. tristis Gritt.—Malay Peninsula.
198 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [E. tristis.
Flowers 7—7'5 cm. long, style 5 mm. long having a conical base
and narrowing above to a irigonous apex, stigmatiferous on the
angles.
2. E. ambigua Becc—Borneo : Region of the lakes
of Kapaas. |
IL—The stem very short, raised on long aerial roots.
Flowers 6 cm. long, style 3-gonous, 3'5 mm. long; stamens about
24. Fruit stoutly long-beaked.
3. E. minor.—Borneo, in Sarawak.
IIL—Stem very high, tuberculate-spinous and having short roots at its base.
Flowers 7°5—8 cm. long, strongly falcate; stamens very numerous.
. Fruit terete. scales extremely small (+ mm. wide). Leaflets
bristly on 3 nerves.
4. E. utilis Becc.—Borneo, Réjang River.
B.—Fruit divided internally by 12 incomplete dissepiments. ^ Stem several
metres high and with long aerial roots at its base. |
Fruit 10—10'5 cm. long, ovoid, obsoletely 3-gonous, 6 cm. across
the periearp 6—7 mm. thick.
5. E. insignis Becc—Borneo, Sarawak.
Fruit ovate. very shortly beaked-mammillate, 13 cm. long. 10 cm.
across, circular in transverse section. The pericarp 16—17 mm.
thick.
6. E. major Becc.—Dutch Borneo.
t DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES.
f
| x EugGEImsONA TRISTIS Griff in Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v., 101, and Palms
Brit. Ind. 110, t. COXX A. B. C.; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 212, t. 179, 180
and Z XIV; Hook. f. FI. Brit. Ind. vi, 481; Ridley, Mart. FI Mal. Penins ii,
Lil:
DescRIPTION.—-Stemless. growing in thick -:tufts. and without aerial roots. Leaves
larze, 2—3 m. long in the pinniferous part! the petiole about as long, roundish,
armed with brown ascending flat spines; the rhachis smooth. Leadets narrow,
subulately acuminate, furnished with black setae only on the mid-costa above.
Inflorescence cupressiform, shorter than the leaves, the panicle alone 1 m. long or
thereabouts ; its pedunculur part about as long. and spinescent (in Griffith’s figure);
the branches short, the lower two or three-flowered, the upper one-flowered.
Anthodia eloagate-elliptical, 13—14 mm. in diameter. Flowers at the time that the
anthers shed their polle 5 cm. long; the corolla entire, and of thin almost fleshy
structure for about the lower third and divided above into three very hard linear
«or linear-lanceolate very acuminate segments, pungent at apex, 5 mm. broad,
polished externally, striate internally, projecting 3 cm. outside the mouth of the
anthodium ; later (after the fall of the anthers) when the ovaries have increased
in size, and still more when the fruits are fully grown, the. corolla is completely
divided into three spreading parts, broad and thin at the base, suddenly contracted,
i
E. tristis.] EUGEISSONA. 199
LJ
narrow and woody above; the calyx is membrano-chartaceous, tubular-subey-
lindrical, slightly broadening above, striately-veined, and 3-toothed, the teeth
short, acute or subaristate. Stamens inserted about midway of the corolla in tufts
of 10—12 at the base of each of its divisions; filaments short; subulate ; anthers
long and narrow; pollen violaceous. Ovary at first, when the stamens are mature,
situated at the bottom of the undivided part of the corolla, and only a few milli-
meters long; probably it is not ready for pollination until the anthers have
disappeared, and it has reached the throat of the corolla or about the level of the
mouth of the anthodium; at that time the ovary is oblong, very obsoletely trigonous,
slightly attenuate above, rounded on the top; the style is very short, 2 mm. long,
very acutely 3-g nous, papillose-stigmatiferous. above on the angles. Fruit 6°5—8
em. long, 3:5—4 em. through, ovate or ovate-oblong, ‘terete, more or less suddenly
stoutly and elongately rostrate or narrowing above to a conical or very obtusely-
trigonous pyramidate point, obtuse at the extreme apex, and terminated by the
persistent style ; scales squarrose, flat, chestnut-brown, lighter at the edges, glossy.
the largest 15—2 mm. broad, somewhat prolonged into erose-toothed and (when
not much rubbed) ciliate fringed apices; the endocarpal cavity is divided into six
incomplete dissepiments, three of which penetrate very deeply while three are shorter
and alternate with the others. Seed large, /2°5 cm. long, 2 cm. across, marked by
six deep narrow longitudinal furrows, into which the dissepiments of the endocarp
fit, three very deeply, and the others less so; embryo basal; wall of the pericarp
4 mm. thick at its middle; the endocarp alone is 2 mm. thick.
Haxirat.—In the forests on the hills about Ching (Malacca) it is very common.
It is also common in Penang (Gef). I have had specimens from Kolang, in
Selangor (Fr. Keheding, Herb. Beec.). Ridely gives also the following localities :
Johor, Gunong Pulai (Ridley). Malacca: Sungei Hudang (Goodenough, 1401).
Selangor : Kwala Lumpur. Perak; Larut Hills to 25°00 feet alt.; Dindings; Penang
(Curtis 2218).
Native name “Bertam.” According to Ridley the leaves are used as those of
other palms; the stalk of the inflorescence is sometimes carved into ornamental -
walking sticks; the fruit is eatable (probably the not quite hardened albumen—
Becc.). i
Osservations.—It is distinguishable by its caespitose habit and by the short
stems not producing aerial roots; by the leaflets being bristly only on the mid-
costa; by the elongate cupressiform inflorescence ‘having the peduneular part
spinous; by the flowers 5 cm. long; by the corolla entire in its lower third part;
by the style being only 2 mm. long and acutely 3-gonous; by the ovate-oblong
fruit conically long-rostrate and having six incomplete dissepiment ; by the relatively
large (1:5—2 mm. broad) scales; and by the entire pericarp 4 mm. thick and the
endocarp alone 2 mm. thick. !
Prate 115(A).—Eugeissona tristis Grif.—Fruits entire; vertical section of a
fruit through the seed; vertical section of a fruit showing the internal dissepi-
ments without the seed; transverse median section of a fruit ; flower at the time that
[d
200 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [E. ambigua.
the ovary has reached the mouth of the corolla; detached ovary ; seed. From
Keheding's specimens collected in Selangor.
2. Everissona AMBIGUA Becc.
E. tristis (non Griff.) Becc. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. iii, 28.
Description.—Stemless, caespitose and without aerial roots. Petiole obtusely
trigonous, armed in its lower part with flat, laminar, long and short, black spines,
and covered, as well as the lower face of the rhachis, with very dark, very thin
and appressed scales. Leaflets narrow, setose only on the mid-costa above. Spadix
cupressiform, similar to that of Æ. tristis. Flowers narrow, falcate, 7—7°5 cm. long.
The corolla is tubular and entire in its lowest third ; its divisions are 6 mm.
wide, very thick, and have tbe apex subtrigonous; the calyx is campanulate, 17
mm. long, broadly 3-lobed, the lobes obtuse; stamens apparently in groups of
10—12 at the base of each division of the corolla; growing ovaries when 3—4 em.
in length, obtusely 3-gonous, truncate at apex, where the angles are terminated by
an inconspicuous but almost pungent point; style 5 mm. long, with a conical base,
and narrowing into a slender 3-gonous apex, papillose stigmatiferous on the angles ;
scales almost uniformly dark chestnut-brown, flat and apparently a little smaller
than in E. tristis, the largest being not quite 1 mm. broad. The fruits are
unknown, but probably have no more' than six dissepiments, as far as can be
inferred from the growing ovaries.
‘ Hapirat.—Central Borneo. at Segrat on the river Unpanang, near the lakes of
the Kapuas, on slightly raised hillocks isolated in the plain, named “ Mattangs ”’
by the Malays, and having a peculiar vegetation, quite different from that around
them, and especially characterized by an umbelliform Casuarina (Beccari, P. B. No.
3443)
Osservarions.—It is related to Æ. tristis, from which it differs, as from any
other at present known species, in the relatively elongate style, of the peculiar
form described above. Apparently it differs from E. tristis also in having the
angles of the apex of the growing ovaries terminated by three inconspicuous but
pungent points, whereas the ovaries of the same age in Æ. tristis have the apex
rounded, exclusive of the short trigonous style. It is also distinguishable from
the other Bornean species by its short stems, not propped by long aerial roots ;
by the leaflets having the mid-costa alone bristly; by the flowers 7—7:5 cm. long,
having the corolla entire, but finally splitting in its lowest third part; and by the
scales (of the very young fruits) being only about 1 mm. broad or smaller than
in E. tristis and E. minor, but larger than those of E. utilis. i
PLate 115(B).—Eugeissona ambigua Bece. Branchlet with anthodia; flower with
growing ovary; the ovary. From Beceari’s P. D. No. 3443. :
3. Euerrsoyá minor Becc. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. iii, 18.
DescrIPTION.—The entire -plant is 3—5 m. high; the stem itself, however, is
very Short, but raised above the ground and propped by aerial roots about 1 m.
long. Leaves 4—5 m. long on the whole, the pinniferous part alone being about
2 m. long; the petiole about as long, terete, 1 cm. in diameter, thickly sprinkled
with small, appressed, tobacco-coloured scales and armed, near the base, with
E. minor. | EUGEISSONA. 201
short, rigid, black, ascendent spines, otherwise smooth; the rhachis is trigonous
with an acute salient angle above. Leaflets numerous, equidistant, the lower and
those of the middle 50 cm. long, 2—3 cm. broad, the others gradually smaller;
the mid-costa smooth or furnished on the upper surface only with a few very
short spinules near the apex. Spadic short, paniculate, and on the whole 40—50
cm. long; the pedicellar part short and smooth; the panicle alone 25—30 em. long
and composed of only 3—6 very short appressed branches, each bearing 3-7
sessile, very approximate flowers. Spathes unarmed. ‘The anthodia are formed of
16—18 spathels, are oblong, slightly ventricose and (in fully developed flowers)
‘3—3‘5 cm. long, 12 mm. across. The fully developed flowers are 6 cm. long not
including the anthodium ; the calyx is tubular, subeylindrical, slightly broadening
out above, 20—22 mm. long, 3-toothed, the teeth short, triangular, acute -or
bluntish ; the corolla is at first entire in its lowest third, but after the fall of the
anthers and when the ovary begins to increase in size, becomes deeply cleft and
finally (at the fruiting stage) completely divided into three parts, very broad at their
bases, and spreading under the fruit; that part of the divisions of the corolla that
remains outside of the anthodium is 4 cm. in length; the divisions are very hard,
linear, straight or obliquely acuminate-pungent, deeply bisulcate-striate internally,
‘glossy, vernicose externally; the siamens are relatively few, inserted in tufts of
about eight a little above the base of each division of the corolla; filaments short,
subulate; anthers narrow, about 2 cm. long. Ovary at the time it attains to the
bases of the stamens (probably at the moment of pollination) is oblong and
obtusely trigonous ; the style is 3:5 mm. long, acutely trigonous, at times more or
less distinetly twisted, bluntish. dark chestnut-brown and glossy, papillose stigmati-
ferous on the margins. Fruit 7 cm. long and 4 em. across, broadly ovoid and very
obtusely trigonous, very suddenly and stoutly rostrate, being contracted at about
its uppermost third part into a trigonous pyramidate apex terminated by the
persistent and unchanged style. Scales squarrose, slightly excavate at the base, chest-
nut-brown and glossy, the edges; and especially the apices of much lighter colour
and erosely-fringed on the margin; the largest scales are 1'5 mm. wide. The
walls of the pericarp at about its middle are 4 mm. thick ; the endocarpal cavity
is divided, as in £. tristis, into three long and three short incomplete alternating
dissepiments. Seed (not seen mature) but most probably very similar to that of
E. tristis.
Hasrrat.—Borneo. I collected this curious palm, so very peculiar by its
aerial roots, in marshy places in the plain between Sodomae and Gunong
Poe in Sarawak (P. B. No. 2444 in Herb. Beccari). I consider also to belong to
this species some fruits received from Kew, collected on the Barram river in
North-west Borneo by J. Hewitt in September 1907. The roots supply very good
walking canes and umbrella sticks.
Osservations.—It much resembles Æ. ‘tristis, but is cat once distinguishable
from it, as from all the other species at present known, by its short stem
raised above ‘the ground by long aerial roots and by its short spadices, having
the paniele composel of few flowers (only 20—30 on the whole) supported on a
short, smooth, peduncular part. It is also characterized by its flowers 6 cm. long;
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
202 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [E. utilis.
by its corolla being entire in its lowermost third part; by the stamens being
relatively not very numerous (about 24 in 3 groups); by its fruit elongate and
stoutly beaked and with six dissepiments; by the style 3°5 mm. long and trigonous ;
by the scales slighly excavate at the base and 1°5 mm. wide; finally by its leaflets
having the mid-costa only slightly spinulous on the upper surface near the apex,
instead of having the long setae of the other species in that part.
PraATrE 116.—Eugeissona minor Beee.—Upper end of a leaf; an entire spadix
with unopened flowers; upper part of a spadix at the time that ovaries are ready
(apparently) for pollination ; two fruits entire, dnd transverse section of another not
thoroughly mature. From the type specimens Beccaris P. B. No. 2444.
4. EvcEISSONA UrILIS Becc. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital iii, 26.
DescRIPTION.—A fine palm, 12—15 m. high on the whole. The stem is straight,
cylindrical, furnished at the base with a mass of numerous short roots (not
propped by aerial roots), and more or Jess stripped of leaves to a considerable
height at times as high as 9 m. up, the oldest leaves being naturally deciduous ;
the surface of the stem is marked by the scars left by the fallen leaves, and
roughened by numerous short, subspiny, abortive, adventitious roots. Leaves large,
the inner spreading, the lower arched and recurved; petiole elongate, glabrous,
armed on its lower part with scattered flat, laminar, black, rather short, 10—12 mm.
long spines; higher up it is smooth or nearly so, where it is flat on the upper
surface, but with an obtuse angle on the lower, so that in transverse section it
is trigonous ; the rhachis is also glabrous and unarmed, and has an ‘acute salient
angle above. Leaflets very numerous, equidistant, narrow, subulately acuminate,
furnished on the upp2r surface with long bristles on the mid-costa and also on a
slender nerve near each margin ; the lower leaflets and central leaflets are 40—45 cm.
long, 20—22 mm. broad, the upper ones gradually smaller. Spadix very large,
cupressiform, rising erect from the centre of the crown and composed of numerous
main branches, appressed to the main axis in their basal part, but arched and
spreading above; they bear unilaterally at every spathe a secondary branch
with many flowers at their basal part, but with fewer flowers above; spathes of
the branches smooth. The anthodia are shortly pedicellate, and formed of 12—13
‘spathels, are oblong, slightly ventricose, about 4 cm. long, 12—13 mm. across.
The fully developed flowers are 8—9 cm. long including the anthodium; the ‘flowers
alone measure 7°5—8 cm. ; the calyx is tubular campanulate, 25 mm. long, 3 toothed,
the teeth deltoid, acute; the corolla at first is entire ‘to nearly the fourth of its
lower part, later it splits completely open; the divisions of the corolla are narrow,
faleiform and pungent, purplish-black and vernicosa outside, concave and striate
inside; the part which protrudes beyond the anthodium is 4—5 cm. in length.
Stamens numerous (about 70), unequal in length; the anthers very narrowly linear,
about 3 cm. long; the pollen violaceous. Ovary (at the time of the maturity of
the anthers) small, turbinate; about 1 cm. long, the style 2 mm. long, very
acutely trigonous, papillose-stigmatiferous on the angles. Fruit 8—10 cm. long,
5—5°5 em. across, obovate, tapering a little below, circular in transverse section,
very suddenly contracted above into a very stout, obtusely-trigonous-pyramidate
rostrum (15 mm, long) blunt, and terminated by the persistent very small style ; Scales
extremely minute and numerous, about one-third of a mm. wide, produced into long
E. insignis. ] EUGEISSONA. 203
acuminate, slightly discoloured apices. The endocarpal cavity is divided into six in-
complete dissepiments, three penetrating very deeply nearly to the centre of the fruit,
and three being somewhat shorter; the three principal dissepiments are deeply
sulcate along their internal margin or in transverse section bi-lobed at the free end.
Seed moulded to the endo-carpal cavity, and therefore marked with six furrows,
of which three are deeper than the others; wall of the pericarp 5—6 mm. thick
on the whole ; the endocarp alone 1°5 mm. thick.
HanrrAT.—I have found this palm common in Borneo on the banks of the
Upper Rejang, in the Kayan and Punan country, especially near houses where
this palm receives a rudimentary eulture for the sake of the Sago flour obtainable
from its trunk. Probably for this same reason it is a plant more diffused through-
out central Borneo than other species of the same genus. To this same species
probably also belong the Zugeissona trees I have seen growing in abundance on the
hills bordering the Bruni river in North Borneo, and on the elevated part of Pulo
(Island) Burung, near the mouth of the Batang Lupar. Native name “ Kadjattao"
{Beccari P. B. No. 3812.) 7
The tree reproduces itself with great facility by seed, anl it is of Very rapid
growth, in five years in good soil coming to bloom, which is the proper time
for the extraction of the fecula. The pollen, which is produced in prodigious quantity,
is also used as food by the natives.
OBSERVATIONS.—It is distinguishable by its naked trunk, furnished. at the base
with short roots, and rough all over from tuberculiform, subspiny, adventitious
rootlets ; by the equidistant leaflets bristly on three nerves above; by the very large
cupressiform spadix ; by the flowers (75—8 cm. long) having the corolla entire
in its lowermost third part ; by the very numerous stamens (about 70); by the
acutely trigonous, 2 mm. long style ; by the fruit, ovoid, circular in transverse
section, 8—10 em. long, 5—5'5 em. through, shortly and stoutly beaked- with six
incomplete dissepiments ; by the very small scales, mm. wide ; by the pericarp
5—6 mm. thick on the whole, the endocarp alone being 1°5 mm. thick.
PLate. 117.—Eugeissona utilis JBecc.—Intermediate portion of a leaf ; flower-
bearing branch ; two entire fruits; the nucleus alone of one fruit spontaneously
divested of its mesocarp; transverse section of the nucleus (the seed rotten). From
Beccari's P. B. No. 3812.
-
5. EvuGrIssona INSIGNIS Becc. in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. iii, 22.
Descriprion.—Palm of the general habit of a Sago tree, 12—15 m. high on
the whole, the stem alone 7—8 m. high, emitting from its base numerous strong
aerial roots, 1—3 m. long. The stem is cylindrical but is. entirely covered by
the persistent bases of the leaves, which fall down only in the last stage of the
life of the plant when the fruits are ripening. The leaves are distinctly 3-seriate,
following gentle spirals along the trunk; they are (including the petioles) 6—8 m.
long, erect, and appressed a long way along the trunk but spreading their feathery
upper part; the leafsheaths are spinous, elongate and costulate on the middle of
the dorsum, and owing to their 3-seriate arrangement give an acutely trigonous
appearance to the entire trunk; the petiole is elongate and powérfully armed.
especially near the base, with laminar, very rigid, black spines 2—4 cm. long, the
LI
ANN. Roy. Bor. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
204 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [E. insignis.
spines being gradually feebler above, finally disappearing near the upper end ; m leaves
of young plants the petiole and the rhachis are densely sprinkled with very dark,
‘very appressed scales. The rhachis is smooth and has a very sharp salient angle
above. Whe leaflets, in leaves of young plants, are subequidistant ; but in full
grown plants are in pairs or in threes on each side of the rhachis; the largest
of them (which are the intermediate ones) are as much as 1 m. in length, and
: 25—30 mm. in breadth; all have the mid-costa sharp and much raised, and
furnished with long distant bristles; the upper leaflets are gradually smaller,
Spadix very large, cupressiform, rising erect from the centre of the crown, about
4 mm. high, composed of numerous short branches, appressed to the main axis,
but with their apices spreading or outcurved; these primary branches bear
unilaterally at every. spathe a secondary branch, occasionally divided again; the
lower divisions carry many flowers, the upper have gradually fewer. Primary
spathes spinous; the spathes of the branches smooth, but at times with a
straggling spine or two on their backs. The anthodia are more or less pedicellate
and covered with numerous spathels (as many as 20—22 if the pedicellar part is
very elongate), are oblong, slightly ventricose, about 4 em. long not taking into
account the pedicellar part, and 15 mm. across. The fully developed lowers
including the anthodium are 10 em. long; the full grown flower-buds are
distinctly falcate, obsoletely-trigonous, very gradually acuminate-pungent ; the calyx
is tubular-campanulate, 25 mm. long, usually 3-toothed, the teeth obtuse or acute,
but at times&the calyx is almost entire and truncate; the corolla has a short basal
entire part, 18—20 mm. in length; its divisions are convex and polished externally,
concave and striate internally, very narrow (6 mm. wide); the part outside the
anthodium is 6 cm. in length; stamens numerous, 50 lor more; the filaments about
1 em. long; anthers very narrowly linear, unequal, about 4 cm. long; ovary (at the
time of the maturity of the anthers) small, oblong, 7—8 mm. long: the stigmati-
ferous style is trigonous, 2'5 mm. long. Fruit 10—10°5 cm. long, 6 cm. across,
obovoid, very! obsoletely trigonous, very suddenly contracted into a stout obtusely
trigonous-pyramidate blunt rostrum, 15—18 mm. long, and terminated by the
persistent very small style. Scales almost of a uniform dark chestnut-brown
colour, very small; the largest 1°5 mm. broad, lanceolate, very acuminate, disposed
in very many vertical series, so as to give to the entire fruit the appearance of
being very closely striate longitudinally. The pericarp on the whole is 7 mm:
thick in its intermediate part; the endocarp alone is 3 mm. thick; the cavity is
divided very regularly into 12 incomplete dissepiments, of which the three principal
penetrate very deeply (nearly to the centre of the fruit) and are distinctly bilobed
in transverse section at their internal free end, 3 are somewhat shorter, and 6
shorter still. Seed 45—48 cm., in diameter, 6 cm. long, ivory-bony, fissured in
the centre, conspicuously marked by as many deep furrows as there are dissepi-
ments in the endocarpal eavity to which the seed is moulded.
Hapirar.—Borneo : on Mount Mattang, near Kuching in Sarawak, at 7—890 m.
elevation (Beccari P. B. No. 2010). I have observed the same plant growing ' also
on the tops of other hills near the sources of the Sarawak river, and on
Mt. .Linga, near the mouth of the Batang “Lupar. Native name "Djatto"
* Kadjatto" or “ Kadjattao."
E. mayor. | EUGEISSONA. 205
The large, long, straight aerial roots when not, completely lignified, can be
readily split longitudinally, and the. fibro-vaseular bundles separated. ‘The Dyaks
in Sarawak profit by this peculiarity to obtain from the aerial roots fine and
neatly finished very tough filaments, about 1 mm. thick and 2—3 m. long, with
which, when dyed in various colours, small. bags (tambuks), necklaces, bracelets
etc., are made.. From the largest and hardened roots very fine walking. sticks are
also made.
OssERVvATIONS.—]t is characterized by its trunk rather high, propped by long
aerial roots, and rendered trigonous by the 3-seriate permanent bases of the
leaves ; by the’ leaflets being bristly on the mid-costa; by its faleate flowers
10 em: long; by the corolla having a very short (only 18—20 mm. in length)
tubular basal part; by its numerous (50 or more) stamens; by the fruit 10—10'5
em. long, 6 em. across, obovoid and veryvobsoletely trigonous, and very suddenly
and shortly stoutly rostrate, and having 12 internal dissepiments; by the scales
very acuminate. l'5 mm. wide; and by the thickness of its pericarp, of which the
mesocarp measures 7 mm. and the endocarp 3 mm.
PLATE 118.—Eugeissona insignis Bece.—Entire flower-bearing branch; one middle
sized fruit entire; vertical section through the seed of one of the largest fruits;
the lower half of a fruit transversely cut. From Beccaris P. B. No. 2010.
6. Ev@rissona MAJOR Bece. Malesia iii, 58.
Descriprion.—Fruit large, 13 em. long, 10 cm. across, ovoid, regularly circular
in transverse section, almost equally broad at both ends, flattish at the base,
very slightly depressed, and very suddenly contracted above into a broad, short
and obtuse mammilliform rostrum, only about 12 mm. high. Seales extremely
numerous, small (the largest 15 mm. broad at their bases) and slightly depressed
or faintly grooved in their postcious part, and produced into lighter, elongate,
acuminate apices. The pericarp is very thick, on the average 16—17 mm. in
thickness in a transverse central section; the endocarp alone is 3 mm. thick ;
the cavity is divided very regularly into 12 incomplete dissepiments, of which
the three principal penetrate very deeply, almost to the centre of the seed, and
are obtusely bilobed in transverse section at their internal end, while three are
somewhat shorter, and six smaller still. The seed is 6 cm. in diameter and
marked by as many deep furrows as there are ‘dissepiments. Other parts
unknown. i
HaBrrAT.— Borneo, collected by Teysmann on the Kapuas.
Osservations.—It is related to Æ. insignis from which it differs in its much
larger and shorter rostrate fruit, but especially in its greatly thicker pericarp.
Portions of leaves and some flowers (not referable to any one of the species of
which these parts are known) collected by Hallier at Liang-gagang in Dutch
Borneo, during the Expedition, 1893-94 (No. 2627 in Buitenzorg Herbarium) apparently
belong to this species. The flowers and the leaves of E. major not being known.
and Hallier's specimens wanting the fruit, a sure identification of these is, of
course, impossible. It may even be that the Eugeissena of Liang-gagang belongs
to a species distinct from Æ. major, and as yet undescribed.
i Prate 115 (C.)—Eugeissona major Becc.—One of the fruits collected by
Teysmann on the Kapuas; transverse median section of the same.
206 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
CONSPECTUS OF THE GENERA OF LEPIDOCARYEAE.
Lepidocaryeae verae.
Fruit covered with imbricating scales ; mesocarp more or less fleshy ; endocarp
membranous and very thin.
L—Leaves pinnate, very rarely digitate or simply penninerved (Gerontogeous).
+ DIOECIOUS PALMS.
A.—Funiform spinous palms, or if at times not climbing, allied to species
that are so and with slender stems.
SuBrRIBE L—CaraAMEAE.—Leaf-sheaths, leaves and spadices,
all or only one or two of these organs furnished with whip-like
appendages (cirri or flagella) armed only with common spines or
prickles,. i.e., “claws” (not with hook-like metamorphosed leaflets
i t.e., * Acanthophylla ”’).
© Polycarpie Palms.
Gen. I-Calamus.—Spadices usually elongate, furnished
with permanent tubular or infundibuliform spathes, at
times tubular at their bases and split along, or even
spread open higher up. Male spadix bearing the
i flowers in spikelets upon which the flowers are solitary
at every spathel. Female spadix bearing spikelets
upon which every female flower is accompanied with
a neuter or rudimentary flower. Fruit monospermous,
D very rarely 3-spermous. Seed with homogeneous or
ruminate albumen. Southern Asia, Asiatic tropical
- Archipelagos, Papuasia, Africa, Australia. Sp. 256.
Gen. 2—Daemonorops.—Spadices abbreviate, enveloped
by several broad cymbiform or laminar spathes, entirely
or partly deciduous. Male and female flowers as in
Calamus. Fruit always monospermous, seed always
with ruminate albumen. South-east tropical Asia and
Asiatic tropical Archipelagos. Sp. 91. d
A EH.
Gen. 3.— Ger Spadices abbreviate, having the
male and female panicles closed into only one
permanent indehiscent spathe pervious only at its
apex, similar in both sexes. Male and female flowers
as in Daemonorops. Fruit always’ monospermous.
Seed ruminate. Malay Peninsula and Western Malayan
Islands. Sp. 6.
207
Gen. 4 —Calospatha.—(VPolycavpic ?). Female spadix (or
DO Mo nocarpie Palms.
Gen.
-
5.
one of its partial inflorescences ?) very short, bearing
the flowers in short spikelets in the axils of large
distichous imbricating thinly coriaceous more or less
pinous spathes. Flowers as in Daemonorops? Fruit
2—3-spermous Seed with homogeneous albumen. Malay
Peninsula. Sp. 1.
Plect =
s—Spadiees similar in both sexes,
divided into Sotta long pendulous branches, furnished
with numerous uniform distichous imbricating persistent
unarmed spathels, which cover short spikelets. Male
flowers in pairs. Female flowers fewer and larger than
the male ones, and solitary at each notch- of the
spikelet-axis. Fruit usually monospermous. Seed with
homogeneous albumen. N.-Z. India, | South-eastern
tropical Asia, pei Archipelago. Philippines. Sp. 12.
6. Pio 4 =
Spadices considerably
different in the two VIE but having similar. small
tubular ,or infundibuliform secondary spathes. Male
flowers approximate in small spikelets. Female flowers
2-3, equal in the axils of secondary spathes and
having the ovary entirely enclosed in an urceolum
formed by the staminodes. Fruit covered with very
small scales, but distinctly arranged in numerous
vertical series. Fruit ^ monospermous. Seed with
homogeneous albumen. Malay Peninsula, Western
Malayan Islands, Cochin-China. Sp. 5.
7 —Myrialepis.—Spadices very dissimilar in
the two sexes. Secondary spathes small, tubular-
infundibuliform; ^ flower-spikelets seorpioid and few-
flowered, but very dissimilar in the two sexes. Female
flowers with a short cupular 6-toothed nectarium,
formed by the sterile stamens. Fruit monospermous,
covered with innumerable extremely minute scales
not regularly arranged in vertical series. Seed with
homogeneous albumen. Malay Peninsula, Sumatra.
Sp.
B.—Short stemmed and tufted or arboreous and never climbing Palms.
SusrRIBE IL.—ZaLAccEAE.— Tufted and almost stemless or arboreous,
more or less spinous, devoid of any kind of flagelliform or
whip-like appendages. Flowers pluriseriate and approximate in
compact spikes. Spadices akillary, considerably shorter
than the leaves.
very
208 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
* Gen. 8.—Zalacella.—Small, tufted. Spadix slender,
rigid. Spathes tubular, closely sheathing. Female
flowers spicate, closely packed, arranged in six series
on a cylindraceous axis. The flowers are apparently
3-nate but only the centre one fertile. Fruit very small,
calamoid. Imperfectly known and of a _ somewhat
uncertain position. Cochin- China. Sp. 1.
Gen. 9.—Zalacea.—Tulted, almost stemless. Spadices
very different in the two sexes. Male flowers in pairs
at each spathel. Female flower considerably larger
than the male ones; ovary 3-locular. Fruit large,
mostly 3-spermous, but at times monospermous. Seeds
large with homogeneous albumen. Eastern India, Siam,
Malay Archipelago, Philippines. Sp. 13.
Gen. 10.—Pigafetta.—Arboreous ; spadices composed of
very many slender spikes, not much dissimilar in the
two sexes. Male flowers very small, geminate, protected
i | by extremely minute bracteoles. Female flowers small,
| / nestling in the wool of some bracteoles ; ovary
unilocular. with three ovules. | Fruit very small
monospermous, calamoid. Seed with equable albumen.
Eastern Malay Archipelago, Indo-China, and Papuan
Islands. Sp. 1.
++ MOoNOECIOUS AND ARBOREOUS PALMS.
Susrrise IIT.—RarHiEAE.— Ultimate divisions of the spadix consisting
of spiciform flower-bearing branchlets, bearing at every spathel
in their lower part solitary female flowers, and upwards. male
flowers only ; the latter dissimilar from the female. Fruit
large, Monospermous. Seed ruminate.
Gen. 11.—Raphia.—Tropical Africa and Madagasenr One
in littoral equatorial America. Sp. 2
Sustrise IV.—-MerRroxyLEAE.—Ultimate divisions of the spadix con-
ES sisting in spike-bearing branches, Spikes amentiform, bearing
at every spathel two flowers. externally equal, one of whieh,
however, is a male and the other a female, the latter opening
after the fall o? all the males. Fruit globular, normally monos-
permous. Seed globose, having a very large and deep chalazal
fovea in its upper part, homogeneous albumen and a basal
i embryo.
/
Gen. iz Metro vias. luo Islands, Philippines
. Papuasia and Polynesia. Sp. 9
ASSI Zalacella Becc. was proposed for Calamus Harman di Pierre and a description of that palm was
given Fs Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard, Calc., xi, 496, accompanied by t. 229 copista ine type specimen. [Editor.]
+++ HERMAPHRODITE.. CaLamorn PALMS.
SUBTRIBE V.— KonrHarsrEAE.— Ultimate divisions of the spadix bearing
= amenti form spikes. Flowers solitary at every spathel and of
one kind only. Leaves of the adult plant cirriferous, the
cirri armed with usual claws only. Fruit small. Seed ruminate
or homegeneous.
Gen. 13.—Korthalsia.—Volu) Peninsula and Western
Islands of the Malay Archipelago, Celebes, the
Philippines, New Guinea. Sp. 26.
SUBTRIBE VI.—ANcIsTROPHYLLEAE.—Leaves having the rhachis prolonged
into a filament armed with abortive leaflets transformed into
“hooks (acanthophylla). Flowers of one kind only.
Gen. 14.—Anecistrophyilum.—Spadix panicled, termi-
nal, much branched; branches furnished with
infundibular spathels. Flowers coriackous ; in pairs at
each spathel. Tropical Africa. Sp. 4.
Gen. 15.—9 Í Spadices panicled, lateral
the main branches sheathed by tubular spathes.
Flower-bearing branches tail-like, furnished with
approximate spathels, each protecting a glomerule of
flowers. Tropical Africa. Sp.
Gen. 16.—Eremospatha.—Spadix axillary, short, simply
branched. not having spathes. but only scale-like bracts
at the base of every flowerbearing branch. Flowers
fleshy, in pairs on the branches, naked. če., not
protected by spathels ; the two flowers exactly alike.
Tropical Africa. Sp. 8
I[.— Leaves palmatified or palmatinerved. Polycarpie dioecious Palms. (Neogeae).
SuprRIBE VII—MavuRITTAE.—Arboreous or fruticose, having slender
erect stems. Spadix with tubular or infundibuliform primary
and secondary spathes. Fruit m’nospermous. Seed with
equable albumen.
Gen. 17.—Lepidocaryum,—Small non-spinous palms.
Stem slender, erect. Leaves bipartite or palmatipartite.
Spadices small, dioecious, male and female similar.
Male and female flowers similar, distichous on spikelets
coming forth from the axils of infundibular or sheathing
spathes. Flowers coriaceous, elongate. Male flowers
solitary or in pairs at each spathel, having six stamens.
‘ Female flowers solitary at each spathel, having also six
stamens, well evolute but sterile. Fruit as in Calamus.
Tropical America. Sp. 7. al
\
ANN. Roy. Bot. Garp., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
210 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
Gen. 18.—Mauritia.—Arboreous. Leaves flabellate.
divided in two principal parts, simply multified. Spadices
paniculate, divided into several spike-bearing branches.
Male flowers pluriseriate and crowded ih small spikelets,
solitary or in pairs at each spathel. Stamens nes
rudimentary ovary extremely minute. Female flowers
larger than the male ones, and fewer on shorter
spikelets ; the calyx cupular, the corolla entire and
ventricose in its lower part, 3-parted above-
Staminodes six, conspicuous, forming a ring at the throat
of the corolla; anthers abortive. Ovary globular-
ovoid ; stigmata short, connivent. Seed appendiculate
in its uppermost part; embryo ventral. Tropical
America. Sp. 11.
,
Lepidocaryeae spuriae.
Fruit covered with inmumerable scales ; mesocarp dry, fibrous ; endocarp thick
woody, pervious at its base.
SusrrIBE VIIL—EvGEisSONEAE.—Arboreous or caespitose spinous monocarpic
palms having pinnate leaves, and large coriaceous hermaphrodite
dichogamous pluristaminate non-spicate flowers. Fruit monospermous,
clothed with inmumerable very minute scales ; pericarp dry, fibrous ;
endocarp thick, woody, pervious at its base ; the endocarpal cavity
divided by 6-12 incomplete dissepiments. Seed plurisuleate, having
homogeneous bony albumen and a basal embryo.
Eugeissona. Malay Peninsula and Borneo solely. Sp. 6.
Lepidocarycae extra-asiaticae.
: RAPHIA Palis de Beauv.
Palis. de Beauv. Fl Ow. et Benin, i, 75 t. 44, E, Let t. 48. 46; Mart.
Hist, Nat. Palm. ii, 53. t. 45 f 5. et t. 48 (Sagus) ii, 216.343; Drude in Mart,
FE Bras mn JI. 2860, te 01.02, et ‘in Engl. Jahrb. xxi, (1895) 111; Mann. et
Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 437. t. 39. A JL Ww (oW A B C. D;
Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. iii, 935; Wright in Th. Dyer. Fl. Trop. Afr. vin,
(1902) 104; Becc. in Agricolt. Colon. iv, (1910) t. 1—6, and in Webbia, iii,
(1910) 37, f. 1—8.
| KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A. Male flowers very dissimilar to the female ones.
L—The corolla of the female flowers shorter than the calyx and entirely hidden
by it.
* Spikes strongly flattened, bearing exactly " bifarious, very approximate
le and female flowers. Male flowers about 6 mm. long, having
6 to 9 stamens.
RAPHIA. 211
(a) Fruit turbinate or nearly globular, slightly longer than © broad
(45—6'5x3'5—45 cm.) rounded or slightly attenuate at the
base.
1. Raphia Ruffia (type) Mart.
Fruit smaller, distinctly turbinate narrowing downwards to
a rather acute base.
R. Ruffia var pedunculata Becc.
(b) Fruit oblong, at least twice as long as broad.
Fruit 8—10 cm. long, 3--4'8 cm. across.
2. R. Kirkii Engl.
Fruit long and narrow, 11—13 em. long, 3—5'5 em. across.
R. Kirkii var. longicarpa Becc.
Fruit ovoid-elliptical, 8—12 cm. long, 4—4°5 em. across.
R. Kirkii var. grandis Becc.
** Spikes more or less flattened, the flowers sub-4-seriate, more rarely loosely
but nearly exactly biseriate.
(a) Male flowers 25—26 mm. long. stamens 16. Fruit
large, oblong-ovoid, 76—82 mm. long, 37-39 mm. broad.
3. R. longiflora Mann et Wendl.
(5) Male flowers 17 mm. long, stamens usually 12. Fruit
small, ovoid or subobovoid, 5'5 em. long, 3:3 em. broad.
4. R. Laurentii De Wild.
II— Female flowers having the corolla more or less protruding beyond the’ calyx,
at least with the apices of tts divisions.
* Fruit having the scales strongly convex and bigibbous in the posticous part,
and flattish, depressed or slightly concave anticously.
(a) Fruit obovoid having an asymmetrical base (always).
Seed ruminate from numerous narrow and deep
intrusions of the integument.
R. Mannii Becc.
(b) Fruit broadly obovoid-turbinate, the base acute and
symmetrical. Seed ruminate from few intrusions of the
integuments broadening in its central part.
| 6. R. textilis Welw.
** Fruit having the scales regularly convex from base to apex and more or
less grooved along the middle.
$ Fruit ovoid-elliptical, equally rounded or equally more or less attenuate at
both ends.
T Female flowers having the calyx truncate at the mcuth or very
obsoletely 3-toothed. È
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD; CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
212 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA.
(a) Fruit ovoid-elliptieal. very shortly beaked, otherwise
| rounded at both ends, 5—55 em. long, 3:3—3 5 em.
broad.
7. R. taedigera Mart.
(6) Fruit elliptical, narrowing at both ends, long and _ very
acutely beaked, smaller than. in ZA. taedigera, 142
mm. long, including the beak, 22 mm broad.
8. R. Wendlandi Becc.
tt Female flowers having the calyx more or less deeply 3-toothed
or 3-lobed.
' - (a) Female flower having the corolla considerably longer than
the calyx. Fruit elongate-ellipsoidal, 7°5—8 cm. long,
3—3:5 cm. broad, gradually rather long-beaked.
9. R. Gaertnerii Mann et Wendl.
(b) Female flower having. the corolla considerably longer
than the calyx. Fruit ovoid-elliptical, rounded at both
ends, 6—6°5 cm. long, 3:3—3'5 cm. broad, shortly and
very suddenly beaked.
10. R. vinifera Palis. de Beauv.
(c) Female flower having the corolla very slightly longer than
the calyx. Fruit ellipsoidal, very abruptly narrowing
at both ends, shortly and minutely beaked, 5:5-—6 cm.
long, 2:5—2'7 cm. broad. ~
ll. R. gracilis Becc.
$$. Fruit turbinate or attenuate at the base more than above.
` ț Fruit large, 8—8°5 cm. long, 4—45 cm. broad, obovoid, terminated
by a thick subcylindrical blunt beak.
12. R. heherostris Becc.
ff Fruit small, terminated by a short slender acute beak.
(a) ‘Male flower having the calyx deeply 3-toothed. Fruit
45 mm. long. 18 mm. broad.
13. R. Monbuttorum Drude.
(5) Male flower having the calyx truncate. Female flowers
having 6 staminodia, subulate and free from their
bases. Fruit 5—6:5 cm. long, 3—3°5 cm. broad,
rounded above, attenuate below, and with the base
acute.
14. R. Gentiliana De Wild.
(c) Male flower having the calyx truncate. Female flowers
having the staminodia connate by their bases, 2 of
which are subulate. and the other 3 bifid. Fruit
very small, obovoid attenuate at the base, 4—4°5 cm.
long, 21—22 m. broad.
15. R. Gilletii Beac.
RAPHIA. 213
TTT Fruit amongst the largest, terminated by a stout, acute or
acuminate beak.
© Beak of the fruit narrowly conical, gradually attenuate at apex.
Fruit oblong-clavate, 10—11 em. long (including the beak)
and 3°5—4°3 cm. broad in its upper part,-the beak
alone 15—17 mm. long.
16. R. longirostris Becc.
©. Beak of the fruit stout, trigonous, acuminate.
A Male flowers having 18—20 stamens, their filaments
mostly united to form a fleshy body (in R. angolensis
the male flowers unknown).
D Fruit not. more than 8—10 em. long.
a. Fruit broadly oblong, 8—10 cm. long (including
the beak), 4—4'5 cm. broad, the beak alone
14—15 mm. long; the largest scales 2 cm.
broad. i
17. R. Hookeri (forma typica) Mann et Wendl.
b. Fruit smaller than in a, obovoid, 6—7 cm.
long (including the beak) 3°2—3°5 broad ;
the beak 12 mm. long.
R. Hookeri ».x. brachycarpa Becc.
e. Fruit oblong-clavate, 8 cm. long (including the
beak), 3 cm. broad; the beak 1 cm. long ;
scales narrower than in a, very faintly and
narrowly grooved. i
R. Hookeri :.:. mancipiorum Becc.
d. Fruit narrow, clavate, long-attenuate at the
base, 7'5 cm. long (including the beak), 2'5
em. broad in its upper part; the beak 1l
mm. long; scales narrower than in type,
not or obsoletely grooved.
R. Hookeri yx. angustata Becc.
O Fruit elongate, oblong-clavate, 12 cm. long (including
the beak), 38 mm. broad in its upper part,
rounded above and very suddenly long-beaked ;
the largest scales 2 cm. broad; seed 7 cm. long,
2'5 em. broad terete, rounded above.
18. R. angolensis Randle
AA Male flowers having 30 and more biseriate stamens.
Fruit subobovate. 8—9 cm. long (including the beak),
3'8—4 cm. broad, the beak stout, 12—15 mm. long.
19. R. Sese De Wild.
"TZ ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. Ruphia-
B. Male flowers very similar to the female ones.
A large palm producing an immense erect inflorescence, divided
into long pendulous floriferous branchlets; spikes strongly
flattened, having the male and female flowers very closely and
regularly bifarious.
20. R. regalis Becc.
1. RapHia Rurria Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 217; Boce. in Agric. Colon. iv.
(1910) t. 1. and in Webbia iti, (1910) 47, f. 1. and Palme del Madag. 55, and the
figure on the title page.
R. lyciosa and R. polymita Comm. ex Kunth, Enum. Pl. in, 217.
R. tamatawensis Sadebeck in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxxvi, (1905) 354.
Madagascar, especially on the West coast.
RarHiA Rurria Mart. var PEDUNCULATA Becc. in Webbia, l. c. 56, f.
2 Aud an Agno. Colon. L.c& t L 59
R. pedunculata P. Beauv. in Desv. Journ. Bot. ii, 87 and Fl. Oware
et Benm bL 15.4 44, E 2. and L 49, kL €
Madagascar. East coast?
2. RaPHura Kirk Engl. Pflanzenw. Ost-Afr. A (1895) 10; Bece. Agric. Colon.
Low t IRL. 12 aud m Webbia L c. 58.
R. — STA Se in Sadebeck in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxxvi (1905), 370,
S. E. Tropieal Africa.
- Rapata Krigkn var. LoNGICARPA Bece. in Agric. Colon. l. oc. t. II, f.
3—4. and in Webbia I. c. 63. : |
S. E. Tropical Africa. Ukamba, Pangani River and Zanzibar.
Rapma Kirk var. GRANDIS Bece. in Borie. Caon. Lc. t. IL E
5--6, and in Webbia I. c. 64.
S. E. Tropieal Africa. Nyasaland and Zanzibar.
3. RAPHIA LONGIFLORA Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 438, t. 39,
LUE and t 49, £ E; Boco: in Webbia L e, 66, fig. 7, Il, a, 5.
The Island of. Corisco in the Gulf of Guinea.
4. RaprHiA Laurenti De Wild. Miss. E. Laurent i, 26, t. WIL VIII. 1X. X.
and f. 6; Becc. in Webbia, l. c. 68 p. 6 V. a. b
Lower Belgian Congo at Eala.
f 5. RapHia Mansi Becc. in Agric. Colon. iv, (1910), t. VI, t. 8—9, and in
Webba, be: 70, E 8.H a, b c. :
A West Tropical Africa. Old Calabar River. :
6. Rapnia\rExTILIS Welw. Apont. 584 (1858) et Synopse expl. ete. (1862), 39 ;
* ‘ Bece. in Agric. Colon. iv, (1910) t. III, f. 1, 2, 3, and in Webbia, Ll c. 73, f. 8,
HE. a, b ;
HR. Welwitschii Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc., xxiv (1863), 439, t. 42, f. B.
Lower Guinea at Angola.
RAPHIA. 215
7. RAPHIA TAEDIGERA Mart.. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 216; Bece. in Agric. Colon.
v (1910), t. VI, f. 2—3 and f. 3 in the text. and in Webbia, l. c. 75 f. 3
Brasil. Littoral region of the Amazon.
8. Rarna WeNDLANDI Becc. in Agric. Colon. l. c. t. VI. f. 10—11 and in
Webing -h e 9h L & La, A. 4
Island of Fernando Po in the Gulf of Guinea.
. 9. Rarnia GAERTNERII Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 437 (partly)
Becc. in Webbia, l. c. 84, f
Liberia.
10. RapHIA vinIFERA Palis. de Beauv. in Desv. Journ. Bot. ii (1809), 87 et
Fl. d'Oware et Benin, ix, 77, t. 44, f. 1 et p. 45 (excl syn. Gaertn.) et t. 46,
f 1. a,,5, c.;-Becc. in Webbia, 1. c. 88. f. 3, and in Agric. Colon. t. VI. £ 1-—7,
Lower Nigeria.
11. Rarnra GRaciLIS Bece. in Agric. Colon. Ll c. i. V, f. 7, 8 and in Webbia;
1 6.99.1: blica
Freneh Guinea and Sierra Leone.
12. RapPHIA' HEBEROSTRIS Becc. in Agric. Colon. l c. t. V. f. 3—6 and
in Webbia, l. c. 96.
Senegal and Dahomey.
13. Rarura Monsurrorum Drude in Engl. Jahrb. XXI (1895) 111.130; Bece.
in Agrie. Colon. et. VL L i and i Webbiasl. e. 98, L 0 H a, 5
Central Equatorial Africa, Monbuttu,; and at Okél in Djur.
14. RapHia GENriLIANA— De Wild. Miss. Laurent, 28, t. XIII. XIV; Bece.
im Webb, k e.102 £ 5. Hl; & 5, c. \
Lower Belgian Congo, Eala.
15. Raphia Gmuerm Bece: in Webbia, l. c. 105 f. 6, IV, a, b.
R.. Gentiliana var. Gilleti De Wild. Miss. Laurent, 30, t. XV.
Lower Belgian Congo.
16. RapHIA LoNaiROsTRIS Becc. in Agric. Colon. l. c. t. V, f. " 9 and in
Webbia, l. e. 108(*).
Liberia.
17. RarHuiA Hooxert Mann.. et Wendl, in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxx (1863)
438, €.99, E. B and t. 42, f£. A; Becc. in Agtic. Colon; Le t UE £5, 6 and
tIV, f£ Lea, dnd in Webbi Ll c. 109, E 1, HL a, b: . ;
British Guinea, French Congo and Old Calabar.
RapuHiA HOOKERI var. BRACHYCARPA Becc. in Agric. Colon. l. c. t.
: IV, £05, and: m "Webbia; by os FH:
Gold Coast.
© In Webbia I. c, the quotations of the figures of this species in Agr. Colon. are erroneously indicated 3—6 instead
of 1—2.
216 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA,
RapPHIA Hookert var. ANGUSTATA Becc. in Agric. Colon. l. c. t. III,
f. 7, and in Webbia, I. c. 116.
Interior West Africa.
RapHIA Hookert var. MANcIPIORUM Becc. in Agric. Colon. l. c. t.
IV, f. 6, and im Webba I. c. 117.
Gold Coast and Slave Coast.
18. RarHia ANGOLENSIS Rendle in Hiern and Rendle Cat. Afr. Pl. Welw. ii,
83; Becc: in Agric. Colon. l. e. t. IIT, f. 4’ and in Webbia, L c. 119.
Lower Portuguese Guinea, Angola.
19. RapHia Sese De Wild. Miss. Laurent, 28. t. XI, XII; Becc. in Webbia,
bow or dy ay &
Lower Belgian Congo.
20. RaPHrA REGALIS Boce. in Webbia, L c. 125 t. I.
Near Nschaggebod in French Congo.
DOUBTFUL SPECIES.
RAPHIA MAXIMA Pechuel Loesche, Loango Expedition iii, 164. Bece. in
Webbia, |. c. 127 (=. Hookeri Mann et Wendl.)
West Africa at Yumba, Loango Coast, in French Congo.
| Ancistrophyllum Mann et Wendl.
Mann et Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 230 et in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 432,
C w D 41 G 430 (Calami subzenus); Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. PI. Di, 937;
- Wright in Th. Dyer Fl. Trop. Afr. viii, (1902), 113; Becc.: in Webbia, iii. (1910),
249. Laccosperma Mann et Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 249.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A. Leaflets elongate. more or less sigmoid or at least with falcate apices,
. having 1—2 main nerves ciliate-spinulous on the upper surface.
Flowers cylindraceous, very suddenly obsoletely ‘apiculate. Seed
smooth, flattish on the raphal side.
1. A. secundiflorum Wendl.
Flowers fusiform acuminate. Seed smooth. concave on the raphal side.
2. A. acutifloruni Becc.
. B. Leaflets sigmoidal, with 1 or more main nerves smooth on the upper
surface. i ;
Leaflets very unequal and inequidistant or nearly grouped, short,
2—3 or up to 6—9 cm. broad, having 1-4 main nerves,
the margins ciliate spinulous. Flowers thiekly fusiform, acute
seed boldly tubercled, deeply excavate on the raphal side.
3. A. opacum Wendl.
Leaflets inequidistant or nearly grouped, elongate-sigmoidal or faleiform, 3—4,
em. broad, mostly 32-costulate or at times l-costulate, the margins smooth.
Flowers narrowly fusiform, acuminate.
4. A. laeve Wendl.
ANCISTROPHYLLUM. 217
1. ANCISTROPHYLLUM SECUNDIFLORUM Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 230; Bece. in
Webbia, l. c. 251.
Calamus secundiflorus Palis. . Beauv. Fl. Oware et Benin, i, 15, t. g—10.
c. (Ancistrophyllum) secundiflorus Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 432,
EID tr Oe Get AL
The littoral regions bordering the Gulf of Guinea from Sierra Leone to the
Lower Belgian Congo, and perhaps also to Angola.
9. ANCISTROPHYLLUM ACUTIFLORUM Becc. in Webbia l. c. 255.
Cameroons, French Congo and Portuguese Guinea.
3. ANCISTROPHYLLUM opacum Drude in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xvi, ii; Becc. in
Webbia, 1. c. 257.
Calamus (Laccosperma) opacus Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv,
AGI & (Abb D ob 4B È
Laccosperma opacum Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 249, and in Bot. Zeit,
i8fT, € v. E. 3, 4 5.
Fernando Po, Ashanti, Cameroons, Spanish Guinea, and at Fort Boni in the
Ruwenzori Region.
4. ANCISTROPHYLLUM LAEVE Drude in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxi, 11}; Becc. in `
Webbia, L c. 261.
Calamus (Laccosperma) laevis Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv,
130. t 48. £ D. |
Laccosperma laeve Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 249.
Gaboon River.
ONCOCALAMUS Mann et Wendi.
Mann et Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 252 et in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 436,
t. 41 E et t. 43 E (Calami Subg.) Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Pl. iii, 936; Wright
in Th. Dyer. Fl. Trop. Afr. viii, 110; Drude in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxi, (1895) 111;
Becc. in Webbia, ii, (1910) 264. :
OxcocaLamus Manntt Drude in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxi, (1895) 111; Becc. in
Webbia, l. c. 265.
Calamus (Oncocalamus) Manni: Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv (1863) 436.
Gaboon River, Cameroons.
EXCLUDED SPECIES.
ONCOCALAMUS ACANTHOCNEMIS Drude in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxi (1895) 111 and
133; Becc. in Webbia, l. c. 269.
Established on young leaves, apparently belonging to more than one species.
| EREMOSPATHA Mann et Wendi,
Mann et Wendl. in Kerch., Les Palm. 252 et in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, 433,
t. 41 A. B. C. et t. 43 D (Calami Subg.) Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. iii, 936;
Wright in Th. Dyer, Fl. Trop. Africa, vii; 111; Drude in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xxi,
(1895) 111; Bece. in Webbia, ii (1910) 270. .
ANN. Roy. Bor; GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII.
218 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [Eremospatha
KEY TO THE SPECIES. -
A. Leaflets narrow, linear or linear-lanceolate.
Leaflets about 23 on each side of the rhachis, acute or bluntish,
or at times pramorse-toothed at the apex ; the margins ciliate-
spinulous, the spinules pointing upwards ; secondary nerves 5—6
on each side of the mid-costa. |
l. E. macrocarpa Wendl.
Leaflets 25—27 on each side -of the mid-costa, subequidistant, suddenly
apiculate-cuspidate at apex ; the margins ciliate-spinulous, the spinules
pointing upwards; secondary nerves 5—6 on each side of the
mid-costa.
2. E. cuspidata Wendl.
Leaflets 7—8 on each side of the mid-costa, suddenly terminating in
a bluntish spinulous apiculum; the margins closely and strongly
ciliate-spinulous, the spinules always pointing downwards; secondary
3 nerves two on each side of the rhachis.
3. E. Teysmanniana Becc.
Leaflets about 15 on each side of the rhachis, very unequidistant, having
5 equally strong costae; the margins nearly smooth; the cirrus
armed with prickles on the margins at the gides, up to the apex.
amongst the acanthophylla.
4. E. quinquecostulata Becc.
B. Leaflets ovate, ovate oblong, spathulate, rhomboidal or cuneate.
* Leaflets green on both surfaces.
Leaflets ovate, obovate, obovate-elliptical or ovate-subrhomboidal, 12—14 on
each side of the rhachis, alternate and subequidistant ; the margins
eilate-spinulous ; tranverse veinlets 1—2 mm. apart; branchlets of
e the spadix and flowers papillosetomentose.
5. E. Hookeri Wendl.
Leaflets obovate-oblong or oblong spathulate, cuneate at base, ünégaidistant,
6—9 (at times in pairs) on each side of the rhachis; tle marzins
ciliate-spinulous ; transverse veinlets 1—2 mm. apart
the spadix and flowers glabrous.
6. E. Haullevilleana De Wild.
; branchlets of
Leaflets broadly rhomboidal or trapezoidal, not numerous (7—8? on each side
of the rhachis), remotely alternate, equidistant ; the margins in the
lower part ‘of the blade smooth or very sparingly ciliate-spinulous ;
transverse veinlets very crowded, sharp and parallel, 0°3—0°5 mm
apart.
i. E. Wendlandiana Damm.
EREMOSPATHA. 219
* * Leaflets mealy-pulverous underneath.
‘ Leaves large, 1°20 m. long in the pinniferous part. Leaflets 9—10 on each
side of the rhachis, plicate-pluricostulate, triangular in their upper
third and thence gradually cuneate or narrowed to the base; the
margins smooth or spinulous; the largest leaflets 30—35 cm. long
and 14—18 cm. broad in their upper part.
8. E. Korthalsiaefolia Becc.
4
1. EremospatHa macrocarpa Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 244; Bece. in
Webbia, iii (1910) 272.
Calamus (Eremospatha) macrocarpa Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv.
(1863), 435.
Sierra Leone, Old Calabar River, Cameroons.
2. EnEMosPATHA cuspipataA Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 244; Becc. in
\Webbia, l. c. 275.
Calamus (Eremospatha) cuspidatus Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv,
434, t. 41. f B. i
Gaboon River and Joko in Cameroons.
3. EREMOSPATHA TEYsMANNIANA Bece. in Webbia, l. c. 278. "
French Congo or Spanish Guinea.
4. EREMOSPATHA QUINQUECOSTULATA Bece. in Webbia, l. c. 979.
Cameroons, District of Djah.
5. EremospatHa Hooxert Wendl. in Kerch. Les Palm. 244; Becc. in Webbia,
icu aL ;
E. Cabrae De Wild. Étud. Fl. du Congo, i, 95. t. XXXII.
Calamus (Eremospatha) Hookeri Mann et Wendl. in Trans. Linn. Soc.
ruv (18055), 44 i ZBL G:
River Nun, Cameroons, and Ogowé.
6. EREMOsPATHA HauLLEvILLEANA De Wild. Et. Fl. du Qongo, 1, 96, 4.
XXXIII-XXXIV et Miss. Laurent, 24; Becc. in Webbia, l. c. 985.
E. Schweinfurthii Becc. in Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Cale. xi, 164.
Lower Belgian Congo at Lubamba, at Kisantu, etc. and at Kambele in the
Monbuttu country.
7. EnEMosPATHA WeENDLANDIANA Dammer, nomen in Herb. | Bér. ; Becc. in
Webbia, l. c. 290.
Barombi-Station in the Cameroons.
8. EREMOSPATHA KORTHALSIAEFOLIA Becc. in Webbia, l. c. 292.
Elbolowa in the Cameroons.
ANN. Roy. BoT. GARD., CALCUTTA, Vor. XII.
e
ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ Lepedocaryum
LEPIDOCARYUM Mart.
Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 49,t. 47, f. 1—3 ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. PI. ili, 938;
Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, ii, 29. t. 62, 67, 68; Spruce in Journ. Linn. Soc.
£n 179
Mauritia Sect. Lepidocaryum Trail in Trim. Journ. of Bot. 1877, 129; Barb.
Rodr. Enum. Palm. Nov. 19, and Sertum Palm. i, 10, t. 4.
bo
m
©
—
~~
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A. Leaves divided into two principal segments, these entire or divided again ;
the segments are 4—6, rarely up to 8—9, in all.
* Leaves divided into 2—6 segments.
T Fruit 20—23 mm. long.
Spadix divided into 2—3 flower-bearing branches only. Secondary spathes
fugaciously rusty-furfuraceous. Flowers relatively large; the male
flowers 8—11 mm. long, 3 mm. broad ; the female 12—13 mm. long.
1. L. gracile Matt.
Spadix divided into several (about 7 in all) alternately distichous flower-
bearing branches. Secondary spathes distinctly tomentose. Male
flowers . . . . Female flowers 7 mm. long, Seed obsoletely
apiculate, having a slightly depressed line along the raphal side.
2. L. tenue Mart.
Spadix divided into several alternate (4—8 on each side) flower-bear-
ing branches ; secondary spathes fugaciously scaly-furfuraceous and
finally glabrous. Male flowers 5—6 mm. long. Female flowers 7
long. Fruit cylindraceous-oblong (22—23 mm. long, 13—14 mm.
across). Seed subterete, slightly emarginate above, deeply
grooved longitudinally.
3. L. gujanense Bece.
i
TT Fruit larger than in the preceding species, 38 mm. long, 14
mm. in diam. Seed 23 m. long and 11 mm. in diam. (in
Drude's figure).
^4. L. macrocarpum (rude) Bece.
** Leaves divided into several (8—9 at most) narrow segments.
Flower-bearing branches 4 on each side of the main axis;
secondary spathes fugaciously rusty-furfuraceous. Male flowers
/ very small (4 mm. long). Female flowers 6 mm. long Fruit
ovoid-elliptical, equally rounded at both ends. 20—22 mm.
long, 13 mm. across. Seed having a broad not deep depression
along the raphal side and with an apical papilla.
5. L. enneaphylluin Barb. Rodr.
`
LEPIDOCARYUM. 991
B. Leaves regularly palmate-flabelliform. Segments numerous, uniform.
Leaflets 16—20. broadly lanceolate, bluntish. Female spadix twice
branched.
6. L. casiquiarense Spruce.
Leaflets 20, narrowly lanceolate. Female spadix simply divided into
very few (3) flower-bearing branches. A smaller plant ‘than
the preceding.
7. L. guainiense Spruce.
| 1. LrePIpocaryum GRACILE Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 50, t. 45, 46 ; Drude in Mart.
Fl. Bras. iti, Il, 299 t. Z LXII f. IX (f. $ excl. f. magn. nat.) et t. LXVI, f. 1.
Brasil, Japurà River (Prov. Rio Negro).
2. LEPIDOCARYUM TENUE Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. i, 51 t. 47: Wallace, Palm-
trees Amazon, 61, t. II, f. 4 and t. XXII; Drude in Mart. Fl. Brasil iii. II, 298
(partly ?) t. LXII, f. VII (fruit) and excl. L. enneaphyllum Barb. Rodr.
Mauritia (Lepid.) quadripartita Spruce in Journ. Linn. Soc. xi, (Botany)
1869, 172 ex Drude l. c.
L. sexpartitum Barb. Rodr. Enum. Palm. Nov. 19. and Sertum Palm. 1,
iL ANSE dB
L. sexpartitum 8 microcarpum Drude |. c. 299, t. LXII, f. VIII (the
fruit entire only and excluding the figure of the seed).
Brasil, Rio Madeira.
3. LEPIDOCARYUM GUJANENSE Bece. sp. n.
British Guiana (Schomburg No. 983 in the Berlin Herbarium).
Frondium segmentis 2—6, spadicis ramis floriferis alternis utrinque 4—8 ; spathis
secundariis fugaciter furfuraceis ; floribus masculis 5—6 mm. longis, floribus foemineis
7 mm. longis; fructibus oblongo-cylindraceis, 22—23 mm. longis, 13—14 mm. latis ;
semine subtereti, profunde longitudinaliter sulcato, apice vix emarginato.
4. TLEPIDOCARYUM MACROCARPUM Becc.
L. sexpartitum var macrocarpum Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, II, 299, t.
LXII, VIII (the seed only).
Brasil, Padaniri River (Trail No. 1095 in Kew Herbarium).
5. LEPIDOCARYUM ENNEAPHYLLUM Barb. Rodr. Enum. Palm. Nov. (1875) 19; Prot.
app. 34; Les Palm. 10.,%. 1, f. A. B. and sportom Palm. 4 Ih & IV. A.
Brasil Rio, Trombetas and Jamunda.
6. LEPIDOCARYUM CASIQUIARENSE (sub Mauritia) Spruce in Journ. Linn. Soc.
(Botany) xi (1896) 173; Drude in Mart. Fl. Brasil m, II, 300 t. LAH, £ XI
(fruit).
South Venezuela, Casiquiari River.
7. LEPIDOCARYUM GUAINIENSE. Spruce (sub Mauritia), 1. c. 174; Drude, l. B 300.
t. LXII, f. X (fruit) and t. LXVIII, 1.
South Venezuela, Guainia River.
232 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ Mauritia
UNRECOGNIZED SPECIES.
LEPIDOCARYUM TRISTICHUM Spruce ; mentioned by Barb. Rodr. in Sertum Palm.
i, 11. (Spruce to my knowledge never published a Lepidocaryum with that specific
name.)
A Lepidocaryum figured by Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, II, t. LXVIII, f. II,
under the name of L. tenue, is probably a distinct species, owing to its female (or
pseudo-hermaphrodite) flowers having stamens with short filaments and elongate
linear anthers.
The genus Lepidocaryum is as yet very imperfectly known, and probably the
species are more numerous than it is generally believed, although not offering
conspicuous diagnostic characters. ©
MAURITIA Linn. f.
Linn. f. Suppl. 70; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. iii, 41, t. 39 ad 44, III, 344;
Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii. II, 287, t. 61 ad 65, 67; Wallace, Palm. Amaz. 46.
t. 2, f. 2 et.17 ad 21; Barb. Rodr. Enum. Palm. Nov. 18, et Sertum Palm. i, 8.
t. 2, 3; Spruce in Journ. Linn. Soc. xi, 167; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant.
im, 938.
Orophoma Drude in Mart. FI. Bras. ni, ID 294 b 06.
KEY TO THE SPECIES.
A. Leaves green on both surfaces.
Fruit ovoid-elliptical.
l. M. vinifera Mart.
Fruit globular, depressed above.
2. M. flexuosa L.
- B. Leaves white or waxy-pulverulent beneath.
* Leaflets having the margins and the mid-costa (on the upper
surface) ciliate-spinulous. Female spikelets very short, having
only two well evolute opposite flowers.
3. M. aculeata H.B.K.
* * Leaflets having the mid-costa smooth and the margins ciliate.
Female spikelets 10—12 mm. long, bearing all round several
flowers. a
4. M. armata Matt.
* * * Leaflets having mid-costa and margins smooth.
Stem stout, solitary, unarmed ; the dead leaves remaining a long time
- hanging below the crown.
5. M. Garana Wallace.
Stem solitary spinescent. Spathes of the spike-bearing branches
twice as long as broad.
6. M. Martiana Spruce.
MAURITIA. 293
Stem . . . . Spathes of the spike-bearing branches about as broad
at the mouth as they are long.
~
i. M. peruviana Becc.
Stem slender, solitary, almost unarmed. Leaves having broad
leaflets rather suddenly aeute.
8. M. subinermis Spruce.
IMPERFECTLY KNOWN.
Slender. Stems in groups, spinescent. Leaves white beneath. Fruit ovate
5x4 em. (Barb. Rodr.)
9. M. gracilis Wallace—Brasil, Amazon.
i Stem solitary, slender 3 m. high, armed especially in its lower part with
conical robust spines. Leaves having few rigid short and broad Jeaflets (colour
underneath ?).
10. M. pumila Wallace—Upper Rio Negro. `
ll. M. setigera Gris.—Trinidad.
EXCLUDED SPECIES. j
MAURITIA CARINATA Humb. in Spruce “Notes of a Bot. on the Amazon and
Andes” [ed. by A. R. Wallace (1908) i, 368], Evidently a slip of the pen for
M. aculeata Humb. /
Mavritia Pirira Linden in Illustr. Hort. 28. From the specific name it may be
identified with M. vinifera Mart.
MAURITIA TENUIS Spruce . . . . = Lepidocaryum tenue Mart.
MAURITJA CASIQUIARENSIS Spruce . . = Lepidocaryum casiquiarense.
Mavritia Sagus Schult. (Quid.)
MAURITIA GRACILIS Spruce . . . . = Lepidocaryum gracile.
MAURITIA GUAINIENSIS Spruce . . . = Lepidocaryum guatniense.
1. Maurrmtia vINIFERA Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 42, t, 38 et 39, f. I. 1—22
et iii, 344: Palm. Orbign. f. 13, 21; Drude in Mart. Fl.:Bras.. ii, II. 291, t.
LXIL f IL
Central Brasil (Glaziou No. 22272).
2. Mauritia FLEXUOSA L.-fil suppl. 454; Meyer, Primit. Fl. Essequeb. 283;
Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 44,. t.- 40 and ii, 344; Wallace, Palm trees Amaz. 47
t IL. L 9 sd L AVI; Prode iun Mart. FL Bras. nj IL.29bL £4. EMI E. di;
& LXIV. Ll (9): LXV, L.F 5 LAVH IL IL
Equatorial cis-Andine America.
3. Mauria ACULEATA H: B. K. Nov. Gen. i, 311; Humb. Ansichten der
Natur. 131; Wallace, Palm trees Amaz. 55, t. XIX; Spruce, Palmae Amaz. 169 ;
Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, II, 292 (partly and excl. t. LXII. f. IV?).
Lepidoccocus aculeatus Wendl. et Drude in Kerch. Les Palm. 249.
Brasil, Canton of the Rio Negro.
224 ANNALS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. [ Mauritia
4. Mavritra ARMATA Mart. (non Humb.) Hist. Nat. Palm. n ^45. 4 AL, 4%.
(excl. t. 43?) et iii, 344 and Palm. Orbign. 20. t. 14 et 21; Spruce, Palm. Amaz.
170; Drude in Mart. Fl. Brasil iii, II, 294 (et t. LXII f. V fructus?).
M. Martiana (non Spruee) Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, II, t. 65 II?
Lepidococcus armatus Wendl. et Drude in Kerch. Les Palm. 249.
Central Brazil (Minas Geraes, Goyaz).
5. Mauritia Carasa Wallace, Palm trees Amaz. 53, t. XVIII; Spruce Palm.
Amaz. 171.
Orophoma Carana (Spruce) Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, II, 295, t. LXVI, f.
Rio Negro and Upper Orinoco.
6. Maurima Martiana Spruce Palm. Amaz. 170. 171; Drude in Mart. FI.
Bras, ii, II, 293 (partly).
M. aculeata Mart. (non Humb.) Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 47 (partly
as to the descript ?) t. 39, f. III. IV et t. 44 (probably also
t. 43 under the name of M. armata).
Brasil, Lower Amazon.
7. MAURITIA PERUVIANA Becc. sp. n.
Oriental (cis-Andine) Peru.
8. Mavriria SUBINERMIS Spruce, Palm. Amaz. 171.
Orophoma subinermis Drude in Mart. Fl. Bras. iii, II. 296. t. LVI. I.
Casiquiari and Guainia Rivers.
9. Maurirta GRACILIS Wallace, Palm trees Amaz. 57. t. XX. x
M. limnophila Barb. Rodr. Enum. Palm. Nov. 18 et Sertum Palm.
i, 9, t. 2-3. 3
M. amazonica Barb. Rodr. Expl. Vallée des, Amaz., Rio Urube.
1875, p. 43 ex Sertum Palm. |. c.
Brasil, Amazon.
10. Mavritia PUMILA Wallace, Palm trees Amaz. 59, t. XXI; Drude in Mart
Fl Bras. iii, II. 294.
Lepidococcus pumilus Wendl. et Drude in Kerch. Les Palm. 949.
Upper Rio Negro.
11. Mauritia sETIGERA Griseb. et Wendl. in Gris. Fl. of the Brit. West
Ind. Isl. 515.
Trinidad. Gregarious and forming the chief vegetation in the swampy parts of
“the island. Barbados ?
MAURITIA. 995
12. Mavriria PERUVIANA Bece. n. sp.
Trunk solitary (?) attaining the height of 20 m. Zeaves deeply parted into
numerous narrow long-acuminate segments, the largest’ 75—80 cm. long, 2°5 em.
broad, green above, white waxy-pulverufent and sprinkled with small brown hair-
like scales beneath; the margins and the mid-costa smooth. Male spadix large,
1°50 m. long; spathes of the spike-bearing branches broadly infundibuliform, 6—7 em.
long and about equally broad at the mouth. Spikelets short, arched-spreading,
the lowest and largest about 1 cm. long and carrying 18—20 flowers. Male flowers
oblong, blunt, 6 mm. long, 3 mm. broad; the calyx scaly-scurfy ; stamens 6, not
distinctly biseriate. Female spadix and fruit unknown.
Hasirar.—Collected by Dr. A. Weberbauer in September 1904 in Eastern
Peru at Rioja, to the West of Moyobamba (Department of Loreto), growing in
woody savannah, between 800—900 m. above the level of the sea (No. 4717 in the
Herbarium at Berlin). It seems rather closely related to M. armata.
Latin Drtaqnosis.—Mauritia peruviana Becc. sp. nov. Trunco solitario (?)
circiter 20 m. longo; frondibus profunde| multipartitis, segmentis angustis, longe
acuminatis, majoribus 75—80 cm. longis, 2°5 cm. latis, subtus albido-pulverulentis,
et squamulis. brunneis minutissimis obsitis; costa media et marginibus laevibus ;
spadiee masculo 1:50 m. longo; ramorum spathis late infundibuliformibus. 6—7
em. longis et (in ore) latis ; spicis brevibus, majoribus, 7 cm. longis, 18—20-floris ;
foribus masculis 6 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis.
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VoL. XII.
INDEX TO SPECIES.
227
Synonyms are printed in Italic type, species hitherto undescribed in bold type,
A
Ancistrophyllum acutiflorum Becc»
leve Drude
opacum Drude
secundiflorum Wendl.
c
Calamosavus harinefolius Griff.
laciniosus Griff. .
ochriger Griff.
polystachyus Griff.
——- scaphiger Griff.
—— wallichiefolius Grift.
Calamus collinus Griff.
cuspidatus Mann & Wendi.
————— geminiflorus Griff.
Hookeri Mann & Wendl.
Kunzeanus Becc.
————_ levigaius Mart.
levis Mann & Wendl.
macrocarpa Mann & Wendl.
Mannii Wendl.
maximus Keinw.
——
ochreatus Miq.
opacus Mann & Wendl.
paradorus Kurz
Rotang L. VAR.
secundiflorus Beauv.
subangulatus Miq.
triqueter Becc. .
turbinatus Ridley
—— — —— Zalacea t3ertn..
Calospatha Seortechinii Beee.
Ceratolobus concolor BI. .
discolor Becc.
— —— — glaucescens Bl.
Ceratolobus Hallierianus Becc.
Ceratolobus Kingianus Bece.
—— — —— Jevigatus Bece.
Ceratolobus levigatus VAR. paia fatta Boos!
plicatus Zipp.
Ceratolobus rostratus Bece.
Ceratolobus subangulatus Becc.
Zippelii BI.
Celococcus amicarum Warb.
carolinensis Dingl. .
——— — — salomonensis Warb.
—— — — vitiensis Wendl.
———— Warburgii Heim
ANN.
Page.
. 112,141
185
182
D
Daemonorops Calospatha Ridle y A
E
Eremospatha Cabre De Wild. . è
Eremospatha cuspidata W endl. .
——— Haullevilleana De Wild.
Hookeri Wendl i
korthalsiefolia Bece. .
macrocarpa Wendl.
— — — ——- quinquecostulata Bece.
Schweinfurthii Becc. .
Teysmanniana Bece. .
Wendlandiana Dammer.
Eugeissona ambigua Bece.
— insignis Becc.
—____+
major Bece.
minor Bece. .
— R OE
——À —— utilis Beet,
K
Korthalsia andamanensis, Becc. .
angustifolia Miq.
ngustifolia B gracilis D
Korthalsia Fides nt BI.
celebica Becc. .
Korthalsia celebica Mia.
.Korthalsia Cheb Becc.
debilis Bi. x
Echinometra Bece. .
—
— 7 ferox Becc.
Korthalsia Flabellum Mig.
Korthalsia flagellaris Mig. . "
—— füróata Bec. è . x
Korthalsia grandis Ridley i à
Korthalsia Hallieriana Becc. — .
Korthalsia hispida Bece.
Korthalsia horrida Bece.
Korthalsia Lobbiana Wendl. ,.. — i
— — Machadonis Ridley .
* Korthalsia macrocarpa Bece. . .
Merrillii Bece.
paucijuga Becc. .
Korthalsia penduliflora Miq.
—— ——— polystachya Mart.
Korthalsia rigida Bi.
robusta Bl. , .
——.
Roy. Bor. Garp., CaLcurTA, Vor. XII.
ochreatus Teysm. & Binn. .
. 136, 154
.
Page.
148, 154
117
228
Korthalsia robusta BI.
Korthalsia Rogersil Bece.
Korthalsia rostrata BI. .
—-—— rubiginosa Becc.
scaphigera Kurz è
Korthalsia scaphigera Mart. .
——— — scaphigeroides Bece. . ^
Scortechinii Bece. . A
squarrosa Becc.
tenuissima Bece. : è
Teysmannii Miq. >
wallichiæfolia Wendl.
—— —— Zippelii BI. x i .
Laccosperma leve Wendl ;
—— ———— opacum Wendl. . a
Lepidocaryum casiquiarense Spruce .
n+ gracie Mart. ©.
guainiense Spruce
—— £ujanense Bece. .
Lepidocaryum macrocarpuu Bece .
sezpartitum Barb. Rodr.
tenue Mart. .
tristichum Spruce
Lepidococcus aculeatus Wendl. & Dhide
E PRSS
— —— pumilus
» ”
"n ” i
Mauritia aculeata H. B. K. : j
Mauritia aculeata Mart.
amazonica Barb. Rodr.
Mauritia armata Mart. . A S
Carana Wallace
Mauritia carinata Humb.
casiquiarensis Spruce
Mauritia flexuosa L.
—— ——- gracilis Wallace .
Mauritia gracilis Spruce .
guainiensis Spruce
limnophila Barb. Rodr.
Mauritia' Martiana Spruce
— ——- peruviana Bec.
Mauritia Pirita Linden . s
Mauritia pumila Wallace .
Mauritia quadripartita Spruce è
Sagus Schult. . A
Maoritia setigera Griseb. Sa
is Spruce.
Mauritia tenuis Spruce . à >
Mauritia vinifera Mart . x
Metroxylon amicarum Becc.
bougainvillense Beck.
NAM carolinense Bece: —
elatum Mart.
- enueaphyllum Barb. Rodr. ;
D
INDEX TO SPECIES.
Page.
Metroxylon filare Mart.
inerme Mart.
nti neve’ Mart.
———— —— longispinum Mart.
—— — — — micracanthum Mart.
__---\microcarpum Mart,
microspermuin Mart.
——— —— orybracteatum Warb.
—— — — Ruffia Spreng.
Metroxylon Rumphii Mart.
— ——— —— Sagus Roithol i
salomonense Bece.
— ——— squarrosum Bece. .
Metrozylon sylv&ttre Mart.
textile Welw.
Metroxylon upoluense Bece.
Metrotylon viniferum Spreng. .
Metroxylon vitiense Btu. & Hook. th
Warburgii Bec",
Myrialepis Scortechinii Bece.
Myrialepis triqueter Bece.
o
Oncocalamus Mannii Drude
Oncocalamus acanthocnemis Drude
Oraphoma Carana Drude
—— — —- subinermis Drude
P
Pigafetta filaris Becc.
Pigafetta papuana Becc. .
Plectocomia assamica Grif.
—— billitonensis Bece..
— —— —— bractealis Bece.
——— — Eimerit Bec.
——— elongata Mart.
Plectocomia elongata Griff.
geminiflora W eS
Plectomia Griffithii Bece. .
himalayana. Grif.
Kerrana Becc.
khasyana Griff.
macrustachya Kurz .
mon'ana Hook. f. & Thom
Muellerii Bl.
Pierreana Bece.
rigida Wendl.
— — sumatrana Mig. .
Plectocomiopsis annulatus Ridley
borneensis Bece.
Plectucomiopsis dubius Becc.
floribundus Bece.
geminiflorus Bece.
aradoxus Bece.
Plectocomiopsis Scortechinii Ridiey
Plectocomiopsis Wrayii Bece.
v
—— hermaphroditum vu
Raphia angolensis Rendle
Raphia eximia Damm.
Raphia Gaertnerii Mann & Wendl.
Gentiliana De Wild. .
Gilletii Becc.
gracilis Bece.
beberostris Becc. .
Hookeri Hann & Wendl.
Kirkii Engl.
Laurentii De Wild. -
longiflora Mann & Wendl.
longirostris Bece.
Itaphia lyciosa Somm.
Raphia Mannii Becc. $
Raphia masina Pechuel BEEN
Raphia Monbuttorum Drude
Raphia pedunculata Beauv.
polymita Comm,
Raphia regalis Becc.
uffia Mart.
Sese De Wild. .
taedigera Mart.
Raphia tamatawensis Sadebeck .
Raphia textilis Welw.
vinifera Beauv.
Raphia Welwitschii Wendl.
Raphia Wendlandi Becc.
Sagus amicarum Wendl,
elata Reinw. .
- farinifera Gaertn. .
Poir.
filaris BI.
Rumph.
— genuina Rumph.
———- inermis Roxb.
—— - Koenigii Griff.
` `
INDEX TO SPECIES.
Sagus levis Griff.
levis Rumph.
longispina Rumph.
longissima Ham.
micracantha Bl.
microcarpa Zipp. .
microsperma Zipp.
——-- pedunculata Lam. .
— —— Ruffia Jacq.
—— — Rumphii Willd.
spinosu; Roxb.
— —— sylvestris Rumph.
— — — taedigera Mart.
——— vinifera Lam.
vitiensis Wendl.
Zalacca affinis Griff. .
Zalacca assamica Lodd.
Beccarii Hook. f.
Zalacca Blumeana Mart.
— borneensis Becc. .
— — Clemensiana Bece.
— —— conferta Grif.
—— dubia Bece. . *.
— edulis Reinw. i
Zalacca edulis Wall.
Zalacca glabrescens Griff. .
Zalacca verint vias Griff.
itida W. Bull
— fu phii BI. ;
Zalacca Scortechini tte
— secunda Griff. "
— vermicularis Becc.
Zalacca Wagneri Hort.
Zalacca Wallichiana Mart.
Zalacea Wallichiana Mia.
Palma- Pinus Gaertn.
230
: INDEX TO ANALYTICAL PLATES.
PLATE I-A.—Figs. 1—4 Ceratolobus glaucescens Bl.—Figs. 5—7 Ceratolobus concolor Bl.—See description at page 4.
I-B.-Figs. 1—4 Plectocomia elongata Mart. & Bl.—Fig’ 5 Plectocomia bractealis Bece.—Fig. 6 Plectocomia
assamica Grif.—Fig. 7 Plectocomia Kerrana Bece.—See description at page 23.
II-A.—Figs. 1—8 Plectocomiopsis geminiflorus Becc.—Figs. 9—14 Plectocomiopsis Wrayii Becc.—Figs. 15—21
Plectocomiopsis paradoxus Bece.—See description at page 48
II-B.—Figs. 1—7 Myrialepis Scortechinii Bece.—See description at page 64.
III.—Figs. 1-5 Zalacca affinis Grif.—Figs. 6—15 Zalacca Blumeana Mart.—Fig. 16 Zalacca vermicularis
Becc.—Fig. 17 Zalacca secunda Grif.—Fig. 18—21 Zalacca conferta Grif.—See description at page 71.
IV.—Figs. i—6 Korthalsia macrocarpa Bece.—Figs. 7—8 Korthalsia robusta Bl.—Figs. 9—16 Korthalsia scaphi-
gera Mart.—See description at, page 111.
V.—Figs. 1—7 Metroxylon amicarum var. commune Bece.—Figs. 8—12 Metroxylon Warburgii Bece.—See des-
cription at page 163.
VI-A.—Figs. 1--8 Metroxylon Rumphii Mart.—Figs.\9—11 Metroxylon Sagus Rotth.—Figs. 12—14 Metrox-
ylon squarrosum Becc.—Fig. 15 Metroxylon Rumphii var. buruense Bece.—Fig. 16 Metroxylon salo-
monense Beee. (erroneously printed ‘samoense”)—Fig. 17 Metroxylon bougainvillense Becc.—See
description at page 163.
i . VI B—Figs. 1—8 Pigafetta filaris Bece.—See description at page 99.
4,
è
INDEX TO
PLATE.
Calospatha Scortechinii Becc. x ‘ : 1
Ceratolobus concolor Bl. : a ; 2
—— discolor Bece. . d : È 3,4
glaucescens Bl. à 1
— — —— Kingianus Bece. . : i : 5, 6
VETE laevigatus Becc. . 9, 10
laevigatus VAR. BAER Bio. 11
rostratus Bece. . ; á (Em
Eugeissona ambigua Becc. 115-B
—— —— ———- insignis Bece. è i, à : 118
macrocarpa Becc. 115-C
— major Bece. . i i i ; 115-C
minor Béce. . : ‘ : 116
tristis Grif. í . 115-A
— ————- utilis Bece. . i . œ. : 117
Korthalsia angustifolia Bl. . È ca 73
Cheb Bece. . i k è : 71
debilis Bl. . $ è a ; 76
Echinometra Bece. 68, 69
ferox Becc. 89, 90
ferox var. înalayana i
flagellaris Mig. 94, 95, 96
furcata Bece. ‘ : è
grandis Ridley 2 3 ù i 88
Hallieriana Bece. . ‘ š : 93
hispida Becc. ci ì ‘ a 99
horrida Bece. t ‘ ‘ : 70
Junghuhnii Mig. . 79, 80
laciniosa Mart. 83, 85, 86
macrocarpa Bece. : 100, 101, 102
Merrillii Bece. " 4 ` È 81, 82
paucijuga Bece. . é è i 75
rigida BI. í 715.45
mud. ocu oss 99
Rogersii Becc. i
- scaphigera Mart. 64, 65, 66
scaphigeroides Becc. K
Scortechinii Bece. . : : . 72
squarrosa Bece. È . . i 103
tenuissima Bece. . : 4 i 84
— Teysmannii Miq. . : 87, 88
— ———- Wallichiaefolia Wendl. . >
—— — Zippelii BI. 97, 98
—— Zippelii var. aruensis n
Metroxylon amicarum Bece. ; È 113
VAR. commune Boot 4 111
; VAR. majus Becc. Sa 112
bougainvillense Becc. 114-B
- Rumphii Mart. i : 105, 106
VAR. buruense Rain. - 407, Bg 10
VAR. ceramense SUBV.
album Bece. i . 107, figs. 2, 3
VAR. ceramense SUBV.
nigrum Bece. 107, fig.
VAR. ceramense SUBV.
rubrum Bece. : » - 107, ed
mense SUBV. |.
Z Matyphyliuma Becc. 107, fig. 5
VAR. flyriverense Becc. 107, fig. 13
B. S. Press—26-7-1918—1262J—242—S. A. G.
231
PLATES.
PLATE.
Metroxylon Rumphii vAR. longispinum Bece. . — 107,fig. 9
VAR. micracanthum SUBV.
Makanaro Bece. . i
107, fig. 11
VAR. micracanthum SUBV.
Tuni Bece. . : i
107, fig. 12
VAR. sylvestre Bece. . 107, fig. 1
—- Sagus Rottb. i 104, 106
VAR. gogolense Hes i à 106
var. Molat Bece.
var. Peekelianum Becc.
. 107, figs. 7, 8
Metroxylon salomonense Bece. 114-A
squarrosum Bece. È ; 108
var Kilaran Bess: 108, fig. 2
VAR. Killasi Becc. . 108, tig. 4
VAR. Kilkarua Becc. . 108, fig. 3
var. Kilwoi Bece È . 108, fig 1
upoluense Becc.
vitiense Benth. & Hook.
—— Warburgii Bece. + i i 109
Myrialepis Scurtecbinii Bece. .
Pigafetta filaris Becc.
Plectocomia assamica Griff. . $ 7 : 24
billitonensis Becc. ; k ^ 21
——— bractealis Bece. . 4 n : 25
Elmerii Becc. . : ; 22
— elongata Mart. & Bl. . 13, 14
VAR. ME Becc. 15
~ Griffithii Becc. 16, 17
himalayana Grif. 2
—————— Kerrana Bece. 21, 28
——— —— khasiana Gri. . à è i 26
macrostachya Kurz . ; ; 18
— — — —- Muellerii Bi. 19, 20
———— — —— Pierreana Bece. 29
Plectocomiopsis dubius Bece. . i . : 37
floribundus Bece. . x ; 39
geminiflorus Bece, ' 30, 31
VAR. bilia 22
Bece.
VAR. borneensis 33, 34
Becc.
paradoxus Kurz. . è " 38
Wrayi Becc. . ; 25, 36
Zalacca affinis Grip. + i : ; $ 56, 57
Blumeana Mart. x j 46
VAR. Mimbo hes. i s 47
— —— borneensis Bece. 59-B
—— Clemensiana Bece. . ; ; 49
conferta Grif. . : : : : 60
dubia Becc. : 58, 59-A
edulis Reinw. .
- VAR. sli Bec. ^ è 43
- VAR. riowensis Becc. ^ Ma 44
——— glabrescens Griff. 52, 53
Scortechinii Bece. 61
——— — secunda Griff. 54, 55
sumatrana Becc. * P : ‘ 48
vermicularis Becc.
Wallichiana Mart. 50, 50-A. 51
ANNALS
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, CALCUTTA. .
VOL, 1.—PART i.—King, George.—The Species of Ficus of the gs a | : È x
indo-Malayan and Chinese Countries.
Calcutta, 1887. |
di il.—King, George.--The Species of Ficus of the 20 0 | 2 0 O
Indo-Malayan and Chinese Countries.
Calcutta, 1888,
Parts | and il (xiii, pp. 185 with 225 plates).
APPENDIX—
1. King, George.-Some New Species of Ficus from )
. New Guinea. Calcutta, 1888 (pp. 9 with 7 plates).
and Castanopsis. Calcutta, 1889 (pp. 17-107 with 91
plates).
|
|
2. Cunningham, D [avid] D [ouglas].—On the Pheno- f 5 4 010 5
mena of Fertilization in Ficus Roxburghii Wall. | |
Calcutta, 1888 (pp. 11-51 with 6 plates). J |
|
VOL. H.—King, Georg£e.— The Species of Artocarpus indigenous ) 4
to Britisn India. Calcutta, 1889 (pp. 1-16 with A
plates). : |
> 164 | 12 8 ,
King, George.—The Indo-Malayan Species of pin | ð
J
VOL. lii. Prain, D [avid].—The Species of Pedicularis of the)
Indian Empire and its Frontiers. Calcutta, 1891
(pp. 196 with 137 plates) and Map and Table.
King, Geor£e.—The Ma£noliacez of British India.
Caicutta, 1891 (pp. 197-226 with plates 38-74).
Prain, D [avid].—An Account of the Genus Gomphost-
emma Wali. Calcutta, 1891 (pp. 227-273 with plates
75-105).
King, George.—The Species of Myristica of British
India. Calcutta, 189i (pp. 274-331 with plates 106-174).
35 0 | 310 O
| ———S II
a
VOL. IV.—King, Geor£e.—The Anonacez of British india.
Calcutta, 1893 (xi, pp. 169 with plates 1-220).
King, George.—A short account of Colonel Kyd, the
Founder of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta |
(pp. 1-11 with portrait). s | i
VOL. V.—PART i.—Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton.—A Century of 16 4 112 6
indian Orchids, Calcutta, 1895 (pp. 1-70 ni
with plates 1-101),
King, George.—A Brief Memoir of William . ..... _.......
Roxburgh, author of the Fiora indica. |
Calcutta, 1895 (pp. 1-9 with portrait.
Il.—Bruhl, P [aul] J [ohannes] and King, George.— 16 4 | 112 6
A Century of new and Rare Indian Plants.
Calcutta, 1896 (pp. 71-170 with plates
102-200),
ea Va — nd
w
a
o
w
o
o
VOL. VI.—PART I.—Cunningham, D [avid] D [ouglas].—The Causes )
of Fluctuations in Turgescence in the
Motor Organs of Leaves, Calcutta, 1895
(pp. 1-161 with 7 plates).
Cunningham, D [avid] D
parasitic species of Choanephora, Calcutta,
J
1895 (pp. 162-174 with 2 plates),
13 .l.—West, Ww [iliam] and West, G [eorge]
[tephen].—Fresh-water Alga from Burma,
including a few from Bengal and Madras
Calcutta, 1907 (pp. 175-260 with 7 plates)
TER VII Ri [ames] S [ykes].—The Bambusa of British
ndia, Calcutta, 1896 (pp. 133 with 119 plates).
VOL. Viil.—King, George, and Pantling, Robert.—The Orchids of the
Sikkim-Himalaya, Calcutta, 1898 (pp. 342 with 448
plates)—
Half-coloured
Uncoloured ... A ds
VOL. IX.—PART l._King, George, Duthie J [ohn] F [irminger], and
Prain, D [avid].—A Second Century of New
and Rare Indian Plants. Calcutta, 1901!
(pp. 80 with 93 plates and Frontispiece).
» lÓF.—Duthie, J [ohn] F [irminger].—The Orchids of
the Western Himalaya. Calcutta, 1905
(pp. 81-212 with plates 94-151).
Uncoloured ...
Haif-coloured
VOL. X.--PART 1i.—Prain, D [avid].—The Species of Dalbergia of
South-Eastern Asia, Caicutta, 1904 (iv,
pp. 114 with plates 1-91),
3 II. Stapf, Otto.—The Aconites of india: A Mono-
graph. Calcutta, 1905 (pp. 115-190 with
plates 92-116),
Prain D [avid .—A Sketch of the Life of
Francis Hamilton (once Buchanan), some
time Superintendent of the Honourable
Company's Botanic Garden, Calcutta,
Calcutta, 1905 (pp. i-Ixxv .
VOL. XlI.—Beccari, oO [doardo].-Asiatic Palms,—Lepidocaryez,
Part |. The Species of Calamus, Caicutta, i908
(pp. i-iii and 1-518 with 236 double Plates and 2
plates of analytical figures),
VOL. XIL—PART 1.—Beccari, O [doardo].—Asiatic Paims.—Lepido-
caryes, Part Il. The Species of Dzemono-
rops. Calcutta, 19ii (pp. 1-239 with 109
double plates and 2 plates of analytical
figures),
» H.—Beccari, O [doardo].—Asiatic Paims.—Lepido-
car
Cutta, 1918 (pp. 1-231 with 120 double plates
and 6 plates of analytical figures),
Rs,
20
22
28
22
PRICE.
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Beccari, Asiatio Palms — LEPIDOCARYEAE. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta. Vol. 12, Part Il - PLATE |
A - Fig. 1-4. CERATOLOBUS GLAUCESCENS, BI. — Fig, 5-7. C. CONCOLOR, BI.
B - Fia. 1-4. PLECTOCOMIA ELONGATA, Mart. et Bl. — Fic. 5. Pl. BRACTEALIS, Beco. — Fic. 6. PI. ASSA-
MICA, Griff. — Fig. 7. PI. KERRANA, Becc.
Istituto Micrografico Italiano — Florence
Beccari, Asiatio Palms — LEPIDOCARYEAE. ` Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Ouloulba Vol. 12, Part Il - PLATE Il
sc mu OTS OO rag EEA
ra a e pe
i i ae
A - Fia. 1-8. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS GEMINIFLORUS, (Griff.) Bece. — Fic. 9-14. P.WRAYI, Beco. — Fig. 15-21. PI.
PARADOXUS, (Kurz) Beco.
| B- Fic. 1-7. MYRIALEPIS SCORTECHINII, Bec. .
Beccari, Asiatio Palms — LEPIDOCARYEAE. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta. Vol. 12, Part Il — PLATE Il
Fic. 1-5. ZALACCA (LEIOZALACCA) AFFINIS, Griff. — Fig. 6-15, Z. (EUZALACCA) BLUMEANA, Mart. —
Fic. 16. Z. (EUZALACCA) VERMICULARIS, Becc. — Fic. 17. Z. (EUZALACCA) SECUNDA, Griff. —
Fig. 18-21. Z. (ELEIODOXA) CONFERTA, Griff.
Istituto Micrografico Italiano — Florence
PLATE IV
Part Il -
12,
Calcutta. Vol
Roy. Bot. Gard
Ann.
iatio Palms — LEPIDOCARYEAE.
As
Beccar:
ROBUSTA, BI.— Fic.
. Fia. 1-6. KORTHALSIA MACROCARPA, Beco. — FIG. 7-8. K
9-15. K. SCAPHIGERA, Mart.
Beccari, Asiatio Palms — LEPIDOCARYEAE.
Fic. 1-7. METROXYLON (COELOCOCCUS) AMICARUM var. COMMUNE, Becco. — Fia. 8-12. METR. (COELO-
COCCUS, Heim.) WARBURGII, Becc.
Istituto Micrografico Italiano — Florence
Beccari, Asiatio Palms — LEPIDOCARYEAE. Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. Calcutta. Vol. 12, Part Il - PLATE VI
A - Fig. 1-8. METROXYLON RUMPHII, Mart. — Fic. 9-11. M. SAGUS, Rottb. — Fig. 12-14. M. SQUARRO-
SUM, Becc. — Fic. 15. M. RUMPHII V. BURUENSE, Becc. — Fic. 16. M. SAMOENSE, Becc. — Fia. 17.
M. BOUGENVILLENSE, Beco.
B - Fic. 1-8. PIGAFETTA FILARIS, Beco.
Istituto Micrografico Italiano — Florence
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